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Assessment of Depression in Children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2016

Michael J. Fry*
Affiliation:
Private Practice, Mackay, Queensland
*
PO Box 1461, Mackay QLD 4740
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Abstract

The assessment of childhood depression is a function of the definition of depression, namely, a single-symptom, symptom cluster, or categorical approach. Furthermore, the assumptions associated with these approaches underpin the development and selection of assessment devices which fall into three main categories: self-report measures, parent, teacher and peer reports, and diagnostic clinical interviews. In describing, exemplifying, and evaluating these measurement techniques, their relationship with the definitional assumptions will be demonstrated through a critical review of the literature. The related and crucial issues of comorbidity and informant variability will also be examined.

Type
Research papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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