Abstract
The present study examined the contributions of negative and positive automatic thoughts to depression and anxiety in children. In Study I, an Automatic Thoughts Inventory for Children (ATIC) was developed. A factor analysis of data from 262 elementary school children (grades 4-6) resulted in the identification of 2 negative factors (negative view of self, and hopeless thoughts) and 2 positive factors (expectancy for the future, and expectancy for support) . The Automatic Thoughts Inventory for Children had adequate reliability and validity. In Study II, the influence of negative and positive automatic thoughts on depression and anxiety were investigated. Results from an analysis of the data obtained from 232 elementary school children suggested that a negative view of self had positive effects on concurrent levels of both depression and anxiety. However, although hopeless thoughts had a positive effect on depression, they had no effect on anxiety. Furthermore, expectancy for the future and expectancy for support had a negative effect on depression, but no effect on anxiety.
