The DSM-III Classification of Child and Adolescent Depression

Over the last decade, notable advances have been made in the classification of child and adolescent psychopathology. The use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III (DSM-III) diagnostic categories for depression with children and adolescents was investigated using archival classification data spanning an 8-year time period. Records were located for inpatients (N=260) and outpatients (N=128) ranging in age from 5 to 18 years who received one of five DSM-III diagnoses f-,r depression. The overall sex ratio for the sample was approximatzuy equal. However, sex differences were identified within specific DSM-III diagnostic categories. Children and preadolescents rarely received a diagnosis of depression, whereas Major Depressive and Comorbid disorders were diagnosed at a higher rate after puberty and required inpatient care. The overuse of the Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood diagnostic category in this sample suggests that modified adult diagnostic criteria are not adequate for the classification of depression in childhood and adolescence. Developmentally appropriate and empirically sound diagnostic criteria are needed to determine the etiology and sequelae of these disorders. (Author/ABL) ****************X**************************************1:*************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. * The DSM-III Classification of Child and Adolescent Depression Corresponding Author: U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION t lu,d'Ona RY,,Pa,,I, and n EO CATIONAL PFSOURCES INFOPMATIC,N CENTEriiETPC1 it r,5 ?vas DPP( fet-,frvel',4 (+0 as frre.o firm opSrn r r ,vqa,,zat, or,gma.,,9 Minor rangos nave ;wen 'ePrOduf quay nF P' nos'? n P rN v James A. Griffin, M.A. Dante Cicchetti, Ph.D. Department of Psychology Mt. Hope Family Center University of Rochester James A. Griffin, M.A. Department of Psychology University of Rochester River Station Rochester, NY 14627 716-275-2991 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY