This study examined the relative contributions of peer influence, mothers' influence, depression and life events on the attributional style of 9 to 11 year old children. Questionnaires were administered to 173 Year 5 children and their mothers. It was found that measures of depression, life events, and peer's attributional style were all significantly related to children's attributional style. The attributional style of a child's best friend, a year prior to testing, accounted for significant additional variance after controlling for depression and life events. No significant relationship was found between mothers' attributional style and that of their children. Given the emerging evidence about the effect of peer attributional style on pre-adolescent's attributional style, class group interventions could provide benefit not just directly to individuals but also via the reinforcing potential of the individual's peer group. The implications of peer effects on attributional style and the possibility of a critical period for the development of attributional style are discussed with respect to future research, therapy and systemic approaches to promoting optimistic attributional style and thereby reducing levels of depression.
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