Observing a decline in general school functioning associated with depressive disorders in children – a potential role for teachers?

Abstract

Childhood depressive disorders frequently go unrecognised. This study explores how a decline in school functioning (often associated with depressive disorders) can be identified by teachers using an 8-item questionnaire. Trained teachers recognised changes in the school functioning of 165 children aged 10 - 14 years, which were associated with possible depressive disorders (‘screen positives’) as identified by the Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS).