Children's Depression Inventory (CDI)
The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) is a 27-item child self-report scale that assesses depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged 7–17. For each item the child selects the statement that best fits the last two weeks. It typically covers areas such as negative mood, interpersonal problems, ineffectiveness, anhedonia and negative self-esteem.
- Questions
- 27
- Est. time
- ~15 min
- Delivery
- Online · remote
- Scoring
- Automatic
What does the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) measure?
- •Negative mood and anhedonia (loss of pleasure)
- •Ineffectiveness and negative self-esteem
- •Interpersonal problems
Who is it for?
Used to screen and monitor depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged 7–17. Completion with professional guidance is advised for younger ages; item texts and cutoff values belong to the institution's licensed form.
How is the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) scored and interpreted?
Each item is scored 0–2; the total ranges from 0 to 54. Higher scores indicate more depressive symptoms; a cutoff around 19 is commonly used for clinical attention. The cutoff should be verified with institution norms and not used in place of a diagnosis.
| Score range | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0–12 | Minimal | Depressive symptoms are below the clinical threshold. |
| 13–18 | Mild-moderate | Mild-to-moderate symptoms; monitoring is advised. |
| 19–28 | Possible clinical level | Above the commonly used cutoff of ≈19; evaluation is advised. |
| 29–54 | High | Marked symptoms; priority clinical evaluation is advised. |
Frequently asked questions
How many items does the CDI have and what is its score range?
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It has 27 items, each scored 0–2, with a total from 0 to 54.
What age is the CDI used for?
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It is usually administered to children and adolescents aged 7–17; professional guidance is advised for younger ages.
Does the CDI provide a diagnosis?
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No. This is a screening/assessment tool; it does not provide a clinical diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Related scales
- Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ)An open-access 13-item self-report scale screening depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged 6–17.
- Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale — Short (RCADS-25)A 25-item short form screening anxiety and low mood in children aged 8–18.
- Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)A 25-item scale screening emotional and behavioural difficulties across 5 subscales in children aged 4–17.
- Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED)A 41-item self-report scale screening anxiety disorders across 5 subscales in children and adolescents aged 8–18.
Source: Kovacs, M. (Children's Depression Inventory); Turkish adaptation studies.
This page is informational and does not contain the actual questions. The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) is a screening/assessment tool and does not provide a diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Administer the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) to your clients
With Psikometri, assign this scale remotely via a single link; results are scored automatically and turned into a report. No credit card required.
- ✓Automatic scoring and severity band
- ✓One-click, branded PDF reports
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