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Volume :44 Issue : 3 2016
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The Differences between Psychometric and Psychiatric Approaches on Prevalence Rates of Depression Symptoms in a Sample of Kuwaiti Children and Adolescents
Auther : Shaima'a Al-Jawhary Ahmed M. Abdel-Khalek
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence rates of depression symptoms using both the psychometric (a psychological scale) and psychiatric (psychiatric criteria) approaches in a sample (N = 1,523) of Kuwaiti children and adolescents recruited from state schools in Kuwait. Their ages ranged between 10 and 16 years. They responded to the Multidimensional Child and Adolescent Depression Scale and the Depression Diagnostic Inventory. It was found that prevalence rates using the psychometric approach were significantly higher than the psychiatric approach in all samples except female adolescents. Females obtained a significantly higher mean score on depression than did their male counterparts. Adolescents obtained a significantly higher mean score than did children in depression.
Keywords: Prevalence rates, Depression, Psychometric, Psychiatric, Children, Adolescents, Kuwait.