Bias and Accuracy of Children's Perceptions of Peer Acceptance: Prospective Associations with Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Are depressive symptoms in middle childhood associated with more or less realistic social self-perceptions? At the beginning and end of the school year, children in grades 3 through 5 (n=667) rated how much they liked their classmates, predicted the acceptance ratings they would receive from each of their classmates, and completed self-report measures of perceived acceptance and depressive symptoms. Accuracy of perceived acceptance was indexed by the mean difference between pairs of predicted and received ratings (absolute values). Standardized residual scores created by regressing self-reported perceived acceptance (either predicted ratings or children's responses to a questionnaire measure of perceived peer acceptance) onto peer acceptance ratings formed two measures of bias. Bi-directional associations were found for accuracy of perceived acceptance and depressive symptoms; inaccurate perceptions predicted increases in depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms predicted decreased accuracy. Neither measure of bias predicted changes in depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms predicted increases in negatively biased perceptions as assessed via questionnaire.

Cognitive Features Associated With Depressive Symptoms in Adolescence: Directionality and Specificity

“…These results support findings linking rejection sensitivity to loneliness and social anxiety (Downey, Bonica, London, & Paltin, in press), perhaps because of the nervous affect associated with anticipating rejection. The scar effect found here is also consistent with studies finding that depressive symptoms predict social self-perceptions (Kistner et al, 2006;Rohde et al, 1990). The interactional framework for depression suggests that the behaviors of depressed individuals lead them to get rejected by others (Coyne, 1976(Coyne, , 1999.…”

“…This cognitive vulnerability hypothesis posits that the presence of certain cognitive features (e.g., low self-esteem, negative attributional style) predisposes individuals to a higher vulnerability for later depression or adjustment problems when the individual is exposed to stressful circumstances. Although some studies have found that cognitive features predict future depressive symptoms, others have revealed influences of depression on subsequent cognitions, such as attributional style and social perceptions (Kistner, David-Ferdon, Repper, & Joiner, 2006;Nolen-Hoeksema, Girgus, & Seligman, 1992;Rohde, Lewinsohn, & Seeley, 1990). It is possible that experiencing a depressive episode or a period of depressive symptoms can lead individuals to develop a more pessimistic explanatory style or to be more sensitive to rejection, features that remain after the depression subsides.…”

Relation of Depression and Anxiety to Self‐ and Peer‐Reported Relational Aggression

“…These aims are consistent with recent calls for researchers to consider adolescents' views of their relationships with peers when examining dimensions of peer group relationships and mental health [Hymel and Franke, 1985;Kistner et al, 2006;Lopez and DuBois, 2005]. The expected mental health symptoms associated with problematic peer relationships have been found when adolescents report their own awareness of their peer relationship problems and express negative attitudes toward their peers and their peers' behaviors.…”

Empirical evidence of cognitive vulnerability for depression among children and adolescents: A cognitive science and developmental perspective

“…Reciprocal relations are also illustrated in a study of third and fifth graders (Kistner et al, 2006). Similarly, inaccurate self-perception predicts increases in depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms, in turn, predict decreased accuracy in self-perception (Kistner et al, 2006). Academic overestimation predicts depression at many grade levels, but the reverse relation yields stronger effects (Cole, 1999).…”

“…Among fourth graders followed prospectively through sixth grade, depression symptoms predict change in children's negative selfevaluations (McGrath & Repetti, 2002). Reciprocal relations are also illustrated in a study of third and fifth graders (Kistner et al, 2006). Similarly, inaccurate self-perception predicts increases in depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms, in turn, predict decreased accuracy in self-perception (Kistner et al, 2006).…”