2.3.4 |. Depressive symptoms

Youth also reported on their depressive symptoms over the prior 2 weeks by completing the Child Depression Inventory (CDI; Kovacs, 1992). This measure is a widely used, well-established instrument for surveying adolescent depressive symptoms. It includes 27 items (αs = .88–.89) indicating the degree to which individuals experienced symptoms of depression, with each item rated on a 3-point scale ranging from definite symptom (2) to absence of symptom (0). Scores across the items were summed to create an overall depressive symptoms score (excluding two items pertaining to sleep disturbances). A small percentage of youth (5%–6% across waves) reported clinically elevated levels of symptoms (scores ≥20).