Social origins of depressive cognitions: A longitudinal study of self-perceived competence in children

As part of a g-year longitudinal investigation, over 631 elementary school children evaluated themselves in five developmentally important domains: ac ademic competence, social acceptance, physical appearance behavioral conduc t, and sports competence. In cross-sectional and prospective analyses, self -appraisals were significantly predicted by teachers: parents: and peers' a ppraisals in the same domains. The strength of this relation and the stabil ity of self-appraisals increased over time. Longitudinal analyses also reve aled that self-perceived competence was negatively related to later levels of self-reported depressive symptoms.