Development and Validation of a Culturally Sensitive Screening Tool for Childhood Depression in India

Author(s)	Ms. Akansha Yadav, Dr. Anshu, Dr. Anjali Mathur
Country	India
Abstract	Childhood depression in India remains critically under-identified, particularly due to the absence of culturally sensitive screening tools suited to younger age groups. This study developed and validated a screening tool for detecting depressive symptoms in children aged 6 to 12 years, specifically tailored to Indian cultural contexts. The tool, developed through a three-phase process, was tested with 150 children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Psychometric evaluations revealed strong internal consistency (α = 0.87) and reliability (r = 0.82), with the tool distinguishing between behavioral and emotional symptoms of depression. Findings indicated that 40% of children exhibited varying degrees of emotional distress, highlighting the tool’s utility for early identification. This culturally relevant scale offers a practical resource for educators, caregivers, and health professionals to address childhood depression before it escalates, marking a step toward improved early intervention and mental health care in India.
Keywords	Childhood Depression, Screening Tool, Early Detection, Cultural Sensitivity, Mental Health, India
Field	Sociology > Home Science
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 3, May-June 2025
Published On	2025-05-08
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.43742
Short DOI	https://doi.org/g9hsm6

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research