Beck's cognitive diathesis-stress theory has generated much research into the etiology of depression. Central to the theory are depressogenic schemata that interact with stressors, resulting in increases in depressive symptomatology. These schemata are commonly assessed using the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS). Importantly, the DAS was not designed for use in children---it has been validated with adults and contains advanced language. Thus, the Child and Adolescent Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (CADAS) was developed. / Study 1 sought to psychometrically validate the CADAS. 453 children completed the CADAS item pool and measures assessing divergent validity. The CADAS was readministered 3 weeks later. Items were retained based on item-total correlations, internal consistency, and factor analyses. The finalized CADAS is a 22-item self-report measure with a unidimensional factor structure and sound psychometric properties. / Study 2 tested Beck's theory using the CADAS to assess depressogenic schemata as a vulnerability factor for depression. An independent sample of 241 children completed the CADAS and a measure of depression one week before receiving school report cards (Time 1). The morning after receiving reports (Time 2), stress was assessed by obtaining parents' reactions to reports, and with an index of children's subjective acceptable grades compared to actual grades. Five days later (Time 3), depression was reassessed. / As hypothesized, regression analyses collapsing across age revealed that Time 1 CADAS interacted with Time 2 parental stress to predict changes in depression from Times 1 to 3. High-CADAS children showed greater increases in depression relative to low-CADAS children when facing the stress of parental anger and disappointment regarding their grades. Consistent with cognitive-developmental theory, planned supplemental analyses indicated that the CADAS x stress interaction predicted depressive changes only in older, formal-operational children. The relationship between the CADAS x stress interaction and depressive changes was mediated by negative views of the self, but not by views of the world or of the future. / This work yields a measure of depressogenic schemata in school-aged children that further contributes to understanding their etiology of depression. These schemata, together with negative views of oneself, may be important targets for modification in the cognitive therapy of childhood depression.

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Behaviour problems are a problem in many secondary schools in Zimbabwe. This study attempts to investigate the causes and manifestations of behaviour problems of adolescent learners and to develop guidelines for teachers on how to assist learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. This is a qualitative study using focus group and semi-structured interviews. The main findings contributing to the causes of behaviour problems among adolescent learners are environmental factors, such as the family and the school and peer pressure. Behaviour problems are manifested by adolescents as disruptive behaviour, aggressive and antisocial behaviour, telling lies and theft. The findings highlight important guidelines, which teachers can use to assist and understand learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. The guidelines present an endeavour to solve problem behaviour in the classroom. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Special Needs Education)

Behaviour problems are a problem in many secondary schools in Zimbabwe. This study attempts to investigate the causes and manifestations of behaviour problems of adolescent learners and to develop guidelines for teachers on how to assist learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. This is a qualitative study using focus group and semi-structured interviews. The main findings contributing to the causes of behaviour problems among adolescent learners are environmental factors, such as the family and the school and peer pressure. Behaviour problems are manifested by adolescents as disruptive behaviour, aggressive and antisocial behaviour, telling lies and theft. The findings highlight important guidelines, which teachers can use to assist and understand learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. The guidelines present an endeavour to solve problem behaviour in the classroom. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Special Needs Education)