Self-perceived competencies and depression among middle school students in Japan and the United States

Predictors of self-reported depressive symptoms were investigated within groups of 125 middle school students from the United States and 99 middle school students from Japan. Multiple regression analyses indicated that self-perceptions of physical attractiveness, social acceptance, and behavioral conduct independently contributed to self-reported depression among United States students. Self-perceptions of interpersonal connectedness, peer social acceptance, behavioral conduct, and physical attractiveness independently contributed to self-reported depression among Japanese students. Self-perceptions of academic competence were not an independent predictor of depression in either group. In addition to revealing critical relations between specific domains of perceived competence and depression during early adolescence within each group of students, results indicated that common beliefs regarding associations between Japanese students' perceived academic competence and level of emotional distress may reflect an exception rather than a rule. Implications for preventive interventions and further research are discussed.