The Children’s Depression Inventory is used to scale the severity ofdepressive symptoms in children.
It also differentiates between major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder (formerly known asdysthymic disorder) in children.
It can help practitioners distinguish between these disorders and other psychiatric conditions.
Morsa Images / DigitalVision / Getty Images
It has become one of the most widely used depression assessments because it is fast and easy to administer.
Early intervention is essential, so consider getting your child screened if they are showing signs of depression.
The Children’s Depression Inventory is a self-report assessment written at a first-grade reading level.
This means that your child will be given the paper and pencil assessment to complete by themselves.
The CDI is designed to detect symptoms of depression and to distinguish between depression and other psychiatric disorders.
It can also be used as an instrument to monitor changes in depression symptoms over time.
How Is the Children’s Depression Inventory Administered?
A child with age-appropriate reading abilities can complete the scale relatively quickly.
How Reliable Is the Children’s Depression Inventory?
The CDI was tested on a large group representing the population of children in the United States.
You should discuss follow-up assessments with your child’s doctor to determine the best course oftreatment for your child.
While the inventory has five subscales, some studies have failed to support the five-factor structure.
Instead, some researchers indicate that two-, three-, or four-factor models are a better fit.
The use of the CDI for children outside of the U.S. may be limited due to cultural-specific interpretations.
One study found that demographic and socio-cultural factors influenced the interpretation of depressive symptoms.
The Children’s Depression Inventory is a quick and painless depression assessment for your child.
Depressive symptoms tend to fluctuate in both children and adults.
It is important that childhood depression is treated quickly.
Childhood depression can have serious consequences, particularly when it is left untreated.
It can affect a child’s personal development, well-being, health, and academic achievement.
Such effects can also carry over into adulthood.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anxiety and depression in children: Get the facts.
2021;16(4):e0249943.
2023;18(5):e0286197.
2019;41(4):692-698. doi:10.1007/s10862-019-09746-x
Frick PJ, Barry CT, Kamphaus RW.
Clinical Assessment of Child and Adolescent Personality and Behavior.
New York: Springer; 2009.
Kovacs M.Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI).New York: Multi-health Systems, Inc.; 1992.
