British Journal of Psychiatry 1991; 11(159):22-27
M. L. Barrett, T.P Berney, S.Bhate, O.O. Famuyiwa, T. Fundudis, I. Kolvin, S. Tyrer, "Diagnosing childhood depression who should be interviewed-parent or child? The Newcastle child depression project." British Journal of Psychiatry, Supplement 11, Volume 159, pp. 22-27, (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1991).
The extent of the similarities and discrepancies in the reporting of depressive symptomatology by children and their mothers was examined. Child-parent agreement was not always impressive, particularly for more subjective symptoms. It is suggested that direct psychiatric assessment of children provides a more accurate picture of their mental state regardless of presenting disorder, but particularly where depression is suspected.