The Developmental Role of Perceived Competence on Depressive Symptoms

Depression is a common a debilitating form of psychopathology. Often models of adult psychopathology are used to test in children, they often do not fit. Cole and colleagues (Cole, 1990; Tram & Cole, 2000) examined a diathesis-stress model of depression using perceived competence as a diathesis. They found that this model did not fit these data. However, a meditational model (i.e., perceived competence mediates the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms) was found to be true. While much of Cole's work is done in younger children, the transition period of middle school to high school, a time of great change, is vastly understudied. This study makes use of data of 1,075 students followed for 6 years. Results show that this mediation model does not hold true for 7th-12th grade.