Assessing depression in community samples of children using self-report inventories: ethical considerations

Although the methodological problems associated with the use of children's self-report depression inventories have previously been discussed in detail, the ethical problems related to the use of these instruments have been largely ignored. The primary purpose of this survey study was to determine how childhood depression researchers have prepared for and responded to children from community (i.e., nonclinic) samples whose nonanonymous scores on self-report depression inventories have indicated that they might be severely depressed or suicidal. Several recommendations, based upon the results of this survey study, the existing literature relevant to the ethical responsibilities of investigators who conduct research with children, and our own experiences with these instruments and populations, are made to assist researchers in their attempts to use these inventories in an ethical manner.