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Relations of Parenting and Negative Life Events to Cognitive Diatheses for Depression in Children

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In a sample of 299 children (grades 2, 4, and 6), we examined parenting and negative life events as predictors of depressive cognitions, specifically low self-perceived competence, depressive cognitive schemas, and depressogenic attributional style. We also examined developmental trends in these relations. Children completed measures of parenting, negative life events, and depressive cognitions. Parents also completed measures of parenting and negative life events. Consistent with our hypotheses, negative parenting and negative life events corresponded with higher levels of depressive cognitions, whereas positive parenting corresponded with lower levels of depressive cognitions. The relations between negative parenting and negative automatic thoughts were stronger for older children. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

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  1. A few studies have found an interaction between parenting and negative life events (e.g., Crossfield, Alloy, Gibb, & Abramson, 2002; Ge, Lorenz, Conger, Elder, & Simons, 1994). We examined the interaction between parenting and negative life events in predicting depressive cognitions. The results of these analyses were non-significant.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Portions of this research were funded by National Institute of Mental Health Research Grant R01MH64650 and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Research Grant P30HD15052. We are grateful to the Nashville Metropolitan Public School System and Dr. Ed Binkley for assistance on this project. We are also immensely grateful for the hard work and support of Elizabeth Byrne, Erica Delgado, Kelly Lawver, Anne Cameron Morrow, Monique Ornelas, Mary Payne, Christy Resnick, Rebekah Travis, Katie Von Canon, Dana Warren, Dayna Watson, and Erica Williams.

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  1. Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

    Alanna E. Bruce, David A. Cole, Danielle H. Dallaire, Farrah M. Jacquez, Ashley Q. Pineda & Beth LaGrange

  2. Address all correspondence to David A. Cole, Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Peabody MSC 512, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203–5701, USA

    David A. Cole

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  1. Alanna E. Bruce
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Bruce, A.E., Cole, D.A., Dallaire, D.H. et al. Relations of Parenting and Negative Life Events to Cognitive Diatheses for Depression in Children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 34, 310–322 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-006-9019-x

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