Self-efficacy pathways to childhood depression
Abstract
This prospective research analyzed how different facets of perceived self-efficacy operate in concert within a network of sociocognitive influences in childhood depression. Perceived social and academic inefficacy contributed to concurrent and subsequent depression both directly and through their impact on academic achievement, prosocialness, and problem behaviors. In the shorter run, children were depressed over beliefs in their academic inefficacy rather than over their actual academic performances. In the longer run, the impact of a low sense of academic efficacy on depression was mediated through academic achievement, problem behavior, and prior depression. Perceived social inefficacy had a heavier impact on depression in girls than in boys in the longer term. Depression was also more strongly linked over time for girls than for boys.
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Depression is most likely to arise when personal standards of merit are set well above one's perceived efficacy to attain them.
“Depression is most likely to arise when personal standards of merit are set well above one's perceived efficacy to attain them (Kanfer and Zeiss, 1983; Bandura et al., 1999).”
From A Systematic Review of “Helicopter Parenting” and Its Relationship With Anxiety and Depression (2022) · cites this paper as Bandura et al., 1999
Another factor contributing to depression is the exercise of control over the depressing thoughts themselves.
“Another factor contributing to depression is the exercise of control over the depressing thoughts themselves (Bandura et al., 1999).”
From A Systematic Review of “Helicopter Parenting” and Its Relationship With Anxiety and Depression (2022) · cites this paper as Bandura et al., 1999
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- Authors
- Bandura, A., Pastorelli, C., Barbaranelli, C., & Caprara, G. V.
- Affiliations
- Stanford University (US)
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
- Venue
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Published
- 1999
- Volume
- 76
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 258-269
- ISSN
- 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1315
- OpenAlex
- W2073505789
- Cited by
- 856
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 28 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 56 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 43 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 44 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 46 · 2012: 36
- FWCI
- 17.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- childhood depression, self-efficacy, academic self-efficacy, social self-efficacy, academic performance, prosocial behavior, behavioral problems, sex differences
- MeSH terms
- Child, Child Behavior, Psychology, Child, Depressive Disorder, Educational Status, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Models, Psychological, Prospective Studies, Sex Factors, Social Behavior, Time Factors, Self Efficacy
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