A cross-cultural evaluation of depression in children in Egypt, Kuwait, and the United States
Author: Abdel Khalek AM, Soliman HH.
Source:
Psychological Reports, 85(3), 973-980.
The English version of the Arabic Children's Depression Inventory, constructed by
Abdel-Khalek, was applied to a sample of 535 U.S. students (11 to 18 years old).
Cronbach coefficients alpha were .88, .90, and .89 for boys, girls, and all
subjects, respectively. Seven factors were extracted by principal axis factor
analysis (Negative mood and self-depreciation, Fatigue, Lack of loneliness, Sleep
problems, Weak concentration, Pessimism, and Feeling happy), denoting clear
factorial structure; however, the scale was intended to be unidimensional. Sex
and racial differences for this American sample were not statistically
significant but the correlation of depression scores with age was .22. The scale
appears useful in studying depression in American school children and
adolescents. Also, cross-cultural differences in childhood depression between
samples from Egypt and Kuwait of previous studies and the present American sample
were examined. Based on the effect size, female Kuwaiti had a lower mean
depression score than either the Egyptian or American groups. The scale can be
used in cross-cultural research.