SELF-TALK IN DISTRESSED YOUTH - STATES-OF-MIND AND CONTENT SPECIFICITY

Tested hypotheses derived from a States-of-Mind (SOM) model in a sampl e of 542 children ages 7 to 15. SOM ratios were computed using empiric ally determined items. Support was found for the SOM model. Negative s elf-talk (but not positive) was consistently related to increasing lev els of affective distress. Thus, children comorbid for anxiety and dep ression demonstrated the highest levels of negative self-talk (and mos t dysfunctional SOM rations). Support for content specificity (specifi c cognitive content relating uniquely to affective conditions) was mix ed. However, specificity was increased when attention was paid to more rationally derived content. Age was not a predictor of positive or ne gative self-talk. Discussion considers the use of the SOM model in chi ld psychopathology and psychotherapy research.