The Conceptualization of the Positive Cognitive Triad and Associations with Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents.

The positive cognitive triad (positive cognitions about the self, world, and future) has been considered a protective factor against depressive symptoms. This study examines three conceptualizations of the positive cognitive triad and their relation to depressive symptoms. Analyses were replicated in two samples in order to provide evidence for the validity of findings. Two samples (n1 = 2982, Mage = 13.04, Rangeage = 11-15 years; n2 = 2540, Mage = 13.11, Rangeage = 11-16 years) of Australian adolescents completed the Positive Cognitive Triad Inventory and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Findings supported the notion that the overall positive cognitive triad is a protective factor for depressive symptoms, and specifically, the role of positive cognitions about the self in this protection. After future studies examine the directionality of the relation between positive cognitions and depressive symptoms, mental health providers using cognitive behavioral approaches may consider examining positive cognitions with patients.

Integrating the Hopelessness Model and the Response Style Theory in an Adolescent Sample.

Integrations of cognitive models of depression, specifically, the hopelessness model (Abramson et al. Psychological Bulletin, 96, 358-372, 1989) and the response style theory (Nolen-Hoecksema et al. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 101, 405-422, 1992) have been suggested but no previous study has compared the integrations of these models with each other and the original models. Further, previous studies only tested the associations between composite scores of inferences, from the hopelessness model, and rumination (incl. brooding and reflection), from the response style theory. Thus, a 3-wave study using self-report instruments with 519 adolescents was conducted (mean ageWave 1 = 16.09 years; SD = 0.70; 62.7% female; 72.8% European American, 14.7% African-American, 5.4% Latino, 4.4% mixed race/ethnicity, 1.4% Asian/Pacific Islander, 0.8% Native American, and 0.6% identified as "other"). The school serves predominantly working to middle class families and almost one third of the students were eligible for free or reduced lunch programs. AMOS and RMediation were used to calculate and compare five different theory-driven models. The findings of the study provide support for an integrated model in which both brooding and reflection are influenced by individual inferences and interact with individual inferences while affecting depressive symptoms. In addition, reflection plays an unexpectedly important role in this integrated model. Age and cognitive development are discussed as possible explanations for this finding.