The Optimistic Child: Proven Program to Safeguard Children from Depression & Build Lifelong Resilience [Paperback]

Martin E. Seligman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 11, 1996

Despite the increased focus on self-esteem over the past three decades, depression in children has continued to grow, now affecting a quarter of all kids today. To combat this trend, Dr. Seligman began the Penn Depression Prevention Project, the first long term study aimed at 8 to 12 year olds. His findings were revolutionary, proving that children can be against depression by being taught how to challenge their pessimistic thoughts.

The Optimistic Child offers parents and teachers the tools developed in this study to teach children of all ages life skills that transform helplessness into mastery and bolster self-esteem. Learning the skills of optimism not only reduces the risk of depression but boosts school performance, improves physical health, and provides children with the self-reliance they need as they approach the teenage years and beyond. world of optimists is a bigger world, a world of more possibilities, says Seligman. Filled with practical advice and written in clear, helpful language, this book is an invaluable resource for caregivers who want to open up this world for their children.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

According to noted psychologist Seligman (Learned Optimism), 30% of American children suffer from depression. Further, his studies demonstrate that "pessimistic children are at much higher risk for becoming depressed than optimistic children." His mission here is to teach parents and other concerned adults how to instill in children a sense of optimism and personal mastery. Seligman discounts prevalent theory that children who are encouraged by others to feel good about themselves will do well. Instead, he proposes that self-esteem comes from mastering challenges, overcoming frustration and experiencing individual achievement. In clear, concise prose peppered with anecdotes, dialogues, cartoons and exercises, Seligman offers a concrete plan of action based on techniques of self-evaluation and social interaction. He describes the development of the Penn Depression Prevention Program, in which school kids are taught ways to divest themselves of pessimistic approaches and adopt optimistic ones, and adapts it to home use by parents. While a few of the exercises may seem daunting to parents, this encouraging volume moves beyond popular self-help tomes and ideology to offer hope and practical suggestions; it will be of great value to teachers as well. First serial rights to Ladies' Home Journal and Parents magazine; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"The first major work to provide an effective program for preventing depression in childhood--and probably later in life." -- --Aaron T. Beck, M.D., President, Beck Foundation for Cognitive Therapy

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 1 edition (September 11, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060977094
• ISBN-13: 978-0060977092
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe it's Mistitled, but it's GREAT, August 16, 2001

By 

Kathleen Day (Springfield, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Optimistic Child: Proven Program to Safeguard Children from Depression & Build Lifelong Resilience (Paperback)

I don't disagree entirely with the one-star reviewer--optimism is hardly the answer to all of society's problems. However, as the parent of a son who often shows signs of inheriting ... depression ..., I found this book to be a proactive alternative to the little lectures on over-reacting to situations that I had been giving! I explain the steps Seligman suggests as games we play to prepare him for middle school and they get him thinking about the control he can exert in his own perceptions (this is a skill often not acquired until late adolescence, if ever). Finally, some support for at-risk kids! I only wish more parents were aware of the influence their behavior wields--this book helps both parent and child increase self-understanding. Other books on childhood depression depend too heavily on explaining available medication--THANK YOU, Mr. Seligman, for offering concrete advice on drug-free depression-prevention.

60 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Optimism-an Emotional Intelligence Competency That Works, April 9, 2003

By 

Susan Dunn "The EQ Coach" (Dallas,, Tx United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Optimistic Child: How Learned Optimism Protects Children from Depression (Hardcover)

I'm an Emotional Intelligence coach. I work with adults teaching them EQ competencies, including optimism, and I've seen it work wonders! Since reading this book, I've been teaching it to children with the same results. It's particularly important in children with high IQs. Their propensity to perceive more deeply, and their perfectionism made them set-up for depression. They can get into trouble with their thinking (can't we all!). Seligman's theory works, if you take the time to understand it and follow his instructions. The essence of optimism is not the upward cycle, but being able to avoid the downward spiral when a disappointment, loss or failure occurs. It's a way of thinking that can be changed. Would you like to live 19% longer, enjoy better health, be more likely to fulfill your potential ... all this backed by Seligman's years of research ... and wouldn't you want this for your child?

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good..., August 1, 2002

By 

Stephen Armstrong (Hadley, Ma USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Optimistic Child: Proven Program to Safeguard Children from Depression & Build Lifelong Resilience (Paperback)

Prof. Seligman is one of the Deans of American psychotherapy and a founder of the cognitive-behavioral method of psychotherapy. His interest in kids is obvious--as well as is his experience.

The theory revolves around several basic concepts. At its most basic, What you think and what you do equals how you feel. Prof. Seligman's method is designed to help children not draw inaccurate inferences (cognitions) from events and behavior (for example, "I'm a jerk" if someone does not play with you.) He correctly notes that optimism and hopefulness are just as learned as is depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, and drugs (psychopharmacology therapy) are the two main treatment modes with demonstrated positive results.

The method itself is quite simple and is very useful to children, families, parents, and adults who work with children. I have given this book to parents and coaches. However, the writing itself is more complicated than the theory--I suppose a Dean of psychotherapy is entitled--so readers will have to work at extracting Seligman's nuggets. It's worth the time, no doubt.