Apples for Health- Child recognition may avoid depression

Child recognition may avoid depression

COLUMBIA, Mo., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A student who struggles in first grade and has negative self-perceptions in sixth grade may have depression symptoms by seventh grade, U.S. researchers said.

Keith Herman of the University of Missouri College of Education and colleagues said often, children with poor academic skills believe they have less influence on important outcomes in their life.

"Poor academic skills can influence how children view themselves as students and as social beings," Herman said in a statement.

The researchers examined the behaviors of 474 boys and girls in the first grade and re-examined the students when they entered middle school.

Herman found that students who struggled academically in the first grade with core subjects, such as reading and math, later showed risk factors for negative self-beliefs and depressive symptoms as they entered sixth and seventh grade.

The study suggests that because differences in children's learning will continue to exist even if all students are given effective instruction and support, parents and teachers should acknowledge student's skills in other areas.

The study was published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology.