%0 Generic
%9 Master's Thesis
%A Saoji, Nikita
%D 2016
%F pittir:27290
%K psychometrics, reliability, validity, CDI, depression, chronic disease, pediatrics
%T The psychometrics of the children's depression inventory when used with children who are chronically ill and matched community comparisons
%U http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/27290/
%X The Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) can be used to screen for childhood depression in children ages seven to sixteen. While the scale has exhibited reliability and validity with typically developing children, the psychometrics have not been examined in a large cohort of children who are chronically ill. The purpose of this study is to measure the psychometrics (reliability and validity) of the CDI when used with children who are chronically ill (N=350) and matched community comparison peers (N=357). This study endeavors to determine if the psychometrics of the CDI are similar in children who are chronically ill compared to children without a chronic illness. Data were aggregated from previous reports examining social and emotional functioning of children with six chronic diseases (cancer, sickle cell, hemophilia, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, chronic migraine, and neurofibromatosis) and matched comparisons. CDI scores were collected in the homes of chronically ill children and in the homes of matched community comparison peers. Results showed no significant differences between groups on CDI scores, shapes of distributions, reliability, or validity. Findings suggest that the psychometrics of the CDI are similar for children with chronic diseases and typically developing children. The public health significance of this work suggests the CDI may be an effective screening tool for use in tertiary care pediatric settings, which could increase screening rates and improve mental health in children who are chronically ill.