ARE COGNITIVE ERRORS OF UNDERESTIMATION PREDICTIVE OR REFLECTIVE OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

Children in Grades 3-8 participated in a longitudinal study of the rel ation between negative self-evaluation errors and symptoms of depressi on. Children's self-perceived competence in 5 domains (academic, socia l, athletic, appearance, and conduct) was compared with teachers' and peers' perceptions. Children's tendency to underestimate their compete ncies predicted increases in depression scores in only 1 of 6 grade le vels. Children's depression scores predicted increases in the underest imation of self-competence over time in all grade levels. Gender diffe rences and developmental differences in the cognitive errors associate d with depression scores also emerged. Contrary to A. T. Beck's (1963, 1972) model, negative self-distortions appear to be more reflective t han predictive of depression in children.