Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale — Short (RCADS-25)
The RCADS-25 is a 25-item short form screening anxiety and low-mood symptoms in children and adolescents aged 8–18. It has two subscales: Anxiety (15 items) and Depression (10 items). Clinical interpretation uses age- and gender-specific T-score norms, not the raw score. The platform provides the scoring structure; item texts are loaded from the official RCADS form after obtaining written permission.
- Questions
- 25
- Est. time
- ~8 min
- Delivery
- Online · remote
- Scoring
- Automatic
What does the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale — Short (RCADS-25) measure?
- •Anxiety symptoms (15 items)
- •Low mood / depression symptoms (10 items)
- •Clinical interpretation via age/gender T-scores
Who is it for?
Used for anxiety and depression screening in children and adolescents aged 8–18. An interactive/software version requires the developers’ (Chorpita & Spence) written permission.
How is the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale — Short (RCADS-25) scored and interpreted?
Each item is scored 0–3. Raw Anxiety and Depression scores are computed; clinical interpretation uses age- and gender-specific T-score norms (institution-supplied). The raw score alone is not a diagnostic indicator.
Frequently asked questions
What does the RCADS-25 measure?
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Anxiety (15 items) and depression (10 items) symptoms across two subscales; 25 items in total.
Is the RCADS free?
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The RCADS is free to administer, but an interactive/software (derivative) version requires the developers’ written permission. The platform prepares the structure; items are loaded with permission.
Does the RCADS-25 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
- 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.
- Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ)An open-access 13-item self-report scale screening depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged 6–17.
- Children's Depression Inventory (CDI)A 27-item self-report scale assessing depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged 7–17.
- Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)A 25-item scale screening emotional and behavioural difficulties across 5 subscales in children aged 4–17.
Source: Chorpita, B. F., & Spence, S. H. (Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale).
This page is informational and does not contain the actual questions. The Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale — Short (RCADS-25) 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 Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale — Short (RCADS-25) 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.
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