Toward Guidelines for Evidence-Based Assessment of Depression in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

We aim to provide a starting point toward the development of an evidence-based assessment of depression in children and adolescents. We begin by discussing issues relevant to the diagnosis and classification of child and adolescent depression. Next, we review the prevalence, selected clinical correlates, course, and treatment of juvenile depression. Along with some general considerations in assessment, we discuss specific approaches to assessing depression in youth (i.e., interviews, rating scales) and briefly summarize evidence on the reliability and validity of a few selected instruments. In addition, we touch on the assessment of several other constructs that are important in a comprehensive evaluation of depression (i.e., social functioning, life stress, and family history of psychopathology). Last, we highlight areas in which further research is necessary and conclude with some broad recommendations for clinical practice given the current state of the knowledge.