Assessment of depression in mentally retarded adults: reliability and validity of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI).

Researchers tested whether a children’s mood checklist could screen for depression in adults with intellectual disability. They used the informant version of the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). Caregivers answered 27 questions about the adult’s mood, sleep, appetite and energy.

The CDI informant version gave consistent results across raters and time. It also matched clinician diagnoses of depression. The authors concluded the tool is reliable and valid for quick screening in this population.

Sisson et al. (1993) extended the same CDI approach to adolescents with ID. They found the scales correlate well, but self- and caregiver answers often disagree. Their mixed findings do not clash with Timberlake (1993); they simply remind us to collect both views when the client can respond.

Schaal (1996) later superseded the CDI for severe cases. That study introduced a 9-item CPRS subscale that works even in adults with profound ID. The newer tool builds on Timberlake (1993) by shortening the item set and widening the ability range.

Festinger et al. (1996) showed self- and informant reports agree only 40 % of the time across psychiatric symptoms. This supports Timberlake (1993)’s choice to use caregiver report, while also warning us that one source is rarely enough.

If you support adults with ID, you now have an evidence-backed 5-minute screen. Pair the CDI informant version with a brief client interview when possible. When the client cannot respond, the CDI alone still gives trustworthy data. For adults with severe or profound ID, switch to the newer 9-item CPRS subscale published three years later.