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Children’s Depression Rating Scale
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About Children’s Depression Rating Scale
Scale Name
Children’s Depression Rating Scale
Author Details
Poznanski, E. O., Cook, S. C., & Carroll, B. J.
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Children’s Depression Rating Scale (CDRS), originally developed by Elva O. Poznanski and colleagues in 1979 and revised in 1996, is a 17-item (original 16-item) clinician-rated semistructured interview designed to assess the severity of depression in children aged 6–12 years. Derived from the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), it adapts adult items to child-appropriate behaviors and sources information from parent, child, and teacher interviews. Items cover schoolwork, capacity for fun, social withdrawal, sleep/appetite disturbances, excessive fatigue, physical complaints, irritability, guilt, self-esteem, depressed feelings, morbid/suicidal ideation, and weeping, rated on 3–7-point scales (higher = greater severity). Total scores range from 17–113 (revised), with ≥40 indicating clinical depression (equivalent to HAM-D ≥15–20).
The CDRS takes ~30–45 minutes (interview + synthesis) and is scored by the clinician. Validated with ~200 depressed and non-depressed children (mean age ≈ 6–12 years, mixed gender, U.S.-based), it correlates with HAM-D (r ≈ 0.80–0.90) and other child depression measures.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the CDRS from Poznanski & Mokros (1996) or authorized sources, ensuring ethical permissions and clinician training.
- Explain to participants (children 6–12 with suspected depression) and informants (parents/teachers) that the interview assesses mood, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Conduct separate semistructured interviews with child, parent(s), and teacher, synthesizing responses to rate 17 items on severity scales.
- Estimated time is 30–45 minutes (interviews + scoring).
- Ensure a child-friendly, supportive environment; provide mental health resources (e.g., referrals) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., simplified language) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The CDRS demonstrates strong psychometric properties (Poznanski et al., 1979; 1996). Internal consistency is high (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.85–0.90). Test-retest reliability is moderate to high (r ≈ 0.75–0.85 over 1–4 weeks). Inter-rater reliability is excellent (intraclass correlation ≈ 0.85–0.95 with training). Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the HAM-D (r ≈ 0.80–0.90) and Children’s Depression Inventory (r ≈ 0.60–0.75). Discriminant validity is evidenced by differentiation from anxiety/non-mood disorders. Sensitivity to change supports treatment monitoring. The CDRS reliably assesses child depression severity. Pairing with the CDI or K-SADS enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
16-Items
Reference
Poznanski, E. O., Grossman, J. A., Buchsbaum, Y., Banegas, M., Freeman, L., & Gibbons, R. (1984). Preliminary studies of the reliability and validity of the children’s depression rating scale. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 23(2), 191-197.
Poznanski, E. O., & Mokros, H. B. (1996). Children’s depression rating scale, revised (CDRS-R).
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the CDRS measure?
It measures the severity of depression in children aged 6–12 via clinician ratings.
Who is the target population?
Children (6–12 years) with suspected depression in clinical settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 30–45 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses depression severity to guide treatment and monitor progress.
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