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The Reynolds Child Depression Scale (RCDS) is a 30-item self-report paper and pencil survey assessing the frequency of depressive symptoms in children ages 8–12.
Description and Relevance to Childhood Development
Depression is one of the most frequently diagnosed mental illnesses in the U.S. [3, 4], with nearly five percent of children and adolescents suffering from depression at any one point in time [2]. This disorder can often go without notice, as it is often conceptualized as a quiet disorder with symptoms such as sadness and social withdrawal, unlike other childhood disorders (e.g., ADHD) that may present with overt behavioral problems. However, some children suffering from depression will act out in school or at home, so it is important to pay close attention to the child’s overall behavior in order to know if they are suffering from depressive symptoms.
Like adolescent and adult depression, childhood depression is more than just feeling down once in a...
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References
Reynolds, W. M. (1989). Reynolds child depression scale: Professional manual. Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2008). http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/the_depressed_child
Reynolds, W. M. (1986). Model for the screening and identification of depressed children and adolescents in school settings. Professional School Psychology, 1, 117–129.
Reynolds, W. M., & Johnston, H. F. (1994). The nature and study of depression in children and adolescents. In W. M. Reynolds, & H. F. Johnston (Eds.), Handbook of depression in children and adolescents (pp. 3–17). New York, NY: Plenum Press.
Masip, A., Campos, J., & Olmos, J. (2008). Psychometric properties of the Reynolds Child Depression Scale in community and clinical samples. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 11, 641–649.
Reynolds, W. M., & Graves, A. (1989). Reliability of children’s reports of depressive symptomatology. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 17, 647–655.
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Barry, J.J. (2011). Reynolds Child Depression Scale. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2440
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2440
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