The Multiscore Depression Inventory for Children (MDI-C) (1996) based on the adult Multiscore Depression Inventory (MDI) (1986), is a self-report measure that is used to assess and diagnose depression as well as the different features of depression in children and adolescents 8-17 years old. The MDI-C is well researched, illustrates the features of depression, and can assist professionals with treatment planning. An item related to Suicide Risk Indicator is included in the MDI-C.
Qualification Level: C; school counseling professionals cannot administer the MDI-C but should understand it’s functions, format, and psychometrics.
Format and Administration
The MDI-C is a paper-and-pencil instrument that consists of 79-items of true or false statements related to how the child and adolescent generally feels.
There are 8 scales which include/measure:
Reading levels for each section differs but range from 1st- 3rd grade reading level. The MDI-C can be administered individually or in a group setting and takes 20 minutes to complete. The MDI-C is generally clear and easy for examinees to understand, as well easy to administer.
Qualification Level: C; school counseling professionals cannot administer the MDI-C but should understand it’s functions, format, and psychometrics.
Format and Administration
The MDI-C is a paper-and-pencil instrument that consists of 79-items of true or false statements related to how the child and adolescent generally feels.
There are 8 scales which include/measure:
- Anxiety
- Defiance
- Helplessness
- Low Energy
- Pessimism
- Self-Esteem
- Social Introversion
- Sad Mood
Reading levels for each section differs but range from 1st- 3rd grade reading level. The MDI-C can be administered individually or in a group setting and takes 20 minutes to complete. The MDI-C is generally clear and easy for examinees to understand, as well easy to administer.
Sample/Norms
The normative sample consisted of 1,465 children and adolescents between the ages of 8 to 17 years old. Geographical locations of the sample consisted of Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington. Demographics were in proportion to Black and Native American populations, but were low in proportion to Asian and Hispanic populations.
Scoring and Interpretation
A total score, which measures the severity of the overall depression, and the eight subscale scores are tabulated then transferred to a profile for plotting (Mental Measurements Yearbook, 2001). An item, which assesses suicide, is also included but not within any subscale, is incorporated in the total score. The total scores range from 0-79, subscale scores range from 8-13. The sample was divided into three age groups: 8-10 years old, 11-13, and 14-17, different means and standard deviation were established for each age group, gender, and ethnicity.
Psychometric Properties
Internal consistency overall was high in all age groups, a coefficient of .75 was found for the age range 11-13 years old, .92 for both age ranges 8-10 years old and 14-17 years old. Though overall the internal consistency for the 8-10 year old group and 14-17 year old group was high, it should be noted that six of the eight scales was unable to meet alpha coefficients of .70 (Mental Measurements Yearbook, 2001). It is postulated that the range of ages between the groups accounted for the low internal consistency of the six scales. It is possible that a 14-year-old female and 17-year-old female would experience depression differently based on their developmental levels. Test-retest was examined at a 4-week period and was shown to be high with a coefficient of .92; this score indicates that the MDI-C could serve as a post intervention measure. Criterion validity is high in correlation between the MDI-C and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). There is also a high correlation (.83) between the scales of MDI adult version and MDI-C. Face validity was found to be satisfactory and the readability of the questionnaire acceptable (Mental Measurements Yearbook, 2001).
Developmental Considerations
Examiners can assist the children in understanding the definition of suicide in order to get an accurate assessment. The assessment is lengthy and children may lose interest or attention, which can provide inaccurate results, especially for children with ADHD or learning disabilities. Research regarding this assessment has shown that though 14 and 17 year olds are in the adolescence stage, developmental differences still exist and depression is interpreted and expressed differently. It is important to take this into consideration during evaluation and a clinical interview should be included in the evaluation process. Two scales from the MDI were altered to conform to child-related issues of depression for the MDI-C, and the language of the items were written specifically for children, which makes the instrument developmentally sound.
Cultural Considerations
Studies have shown that racial differences exist in the expression of depression in children and adolescents (Politano, Nelson, Evans, Sorenson, & Zeman, 1986). Due to the racial disproportionate sample, evaluation of minorities groups, specifically Hispanic and Asian populations should be interpreted with caution and further assessment tools should be incorporated before making a formal diagnosis. No racial data are provided in the MDI-C manual, which serves as a weakness.
The normative sample consisted of 1,465 children and adolescents between the ages of 8 to 17 years old. Geographical locations of the sample consisted of Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington. Demographics were in proportion to Black and Native American populations, but were low in proportion to Asian and Hispanic populations.
Scoring and Interpretation
A total score, which measures the severity of the overall depression, and the eight subscale scores are tabulated then transferred to a profile for plotting (Mental Measurements Yearbook, 2001). An item, which assesses suicide, is also included but not within any subscale, is incorporated in the total score. The total scores range from 0-79, subscale scores range from 8-13. The sample was divided into three age groups: 8-10 years old, 11-13, and 14-17, different means and standard deviation were established for each age group, gender, and ethnicity.
Psychometric Properties
Internal consistency overall was high in all age groups, a coefficient of .75 was found for the age range 11-13 years old, .92 for both age ranges 8-10 years old and 14-17 years old. Though overall the internal consistency for the 8-10 year old group and 14-17 year old group was high, it should be noted that six of the eight scales was unable to meet alpha coefficients of .70 (Mental Measurements Yearbook, 2001). It is postulated that the range of ages between the groups accounted for the low internal consistency of the six scales. It is possible that a 14-year-old female and 17-year-old female would experience depression differently based on their developmental levels. Test-retest was examined at a 4-week period and was shown to be high with a coefficient of .92; this score indicates that the MDI-C could serve as a post intervention measure. Criterion validity is high in correlation between the MDI-C and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). There is also a high correlation (.83) between the scales of MDI adult version and MDI-C. Face validity was found to be satisfactory and the readability of the questionnaire acceptable (Mental Measurements Yearbook, 2001).
Developmental Considerations
Examiners can assist the children in understanding the definition of suicide in order to get an accurate assessment. The assessment is lengthy and children may lose interest or attention, which can provide inaccurate results, especially for children with ADHD or learning disabilities. Research regarding this assessment has shown that though 14 and 17 year olds are in the adolescence stage, developmental differences still exist and depression is interpreted and expressed differently. It is important to take this into consideration during evaluation and a clinical interview should be included in the evaluation process. Two scales from the MDI were altered to conform to child-related issues of depression for the MDI-C, and the language of the items were written specifically for children, which makes the instrument developmentally sound.
Cultural Considerations
Studies have shown that racial differences exist in the expression of depression in children and adolescents (Politano, Nelson, Evans, Sorenson, & Zeman, 1986). Due to the racial disproportionate sample, evaluation of minorities groups, specifically Hispanic and Asian populations should be interpreted with caution and further assessment tools should be incorporated before making a formal diagnosis. No racial data are provided in the MDI-C manual, which serves as a weakness.