Community variables significantly related to children's symptoms of depression were the rate of poverty and unemployment in a child's community. Personal variables significantly related to children's depressive symptoms were self-perceived competence and depressive attributional style. These findings remained significant, even after accounting for the impact of other individual risk variables, such as demographic and familial risk factors. Regarding the impact of familial variables on depressive symptoms, the findings suggest that the effect of negative parenting on children's depressive symptoms may be mediated by children's self-perceived competency. The findings suggest that programs which focus on improving children's self-perceived competence may protect against the emergence of depressive symptoms in children at risk. Even in impoverished communities, a child's strong sense of self-efficacy may promote effective coping efforts and provide a degree of protection from the emergence of depression. Suggestions are offered for future research. At the start of the 2002-2003 school year, participants were recruited from five public elementary schools and two public middle schools serving a mid-size southern city. Community poverty and unemployment were assessed with data obtained from the U.S. Decennial Census. Individual-level demographic risk information was assessed with a parent questionnaire. Familial risk variables were assessed with scales from the Self-Expressiveness in the Family Questionnaire. Children's depressive attributional style was assessed with the Children's Attributional Style Interview. Children's self-perceived competence was assessed with one of two perceived competence scales of the Children's Attributional Style Interview. Children's depressive symptoms were assessed with the adolescent version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. 1 figure, 5 tables and 64 references