Children's Depression Inventory Case Study

Depression is a well-known emotional disorder that is characterized by feelings ranging from overwhelming guilt, fatigue, and social withdrawal, to irritability, abuse, and at times suicidal behaviors (Luby, 2009). Depression is not bound by age, gender, or ethnicity. Research shows that in the month of August 2009, approximately 15% of children under the age of six suffer from exceptionally high anxiety and depression levels (Jarvis, 2009). The Children 's Depression Inventory (CDI) is a test often used by counselors and psychologists to assess an adolescent 's symptoms of depression. Within this paper, several articles regarding the results of CDI tests will be discussed. These selected articles will also be compared, to illustrate how the results may be achieved during practical application. Furthermore, the qualifications required for administering and interpreting the CDI will be determined. Finally, the populations for which the psychological measure is valid and invalid will be distinguished, in efforts of establishing the boundaries of this psychological assessment.

Article Concerning Childhood Depression in GreeceThe first article that
Just 50 years ago, a child being diagnosed with clinical depression would have been incredibly rare (Family Practice News, 2004). On top of that, it was thought to only happen in the worst of situations, such as with extreme neglect or physical abuse. However, as the detection and acceptance of childhood depression continues to advance, occurrences of childhood depression diagnoses are also rising in every population across the globe (Family Practice News, 2004). In the second article presented above, the students of 21 schools were given the CDI. Upon screening and evaluating students, it was found that nearly one-third (29.2%) of the children from the Wisconsin schools were at risk for depression (Family Practice News,