Short Forms of the German Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)–Validation and Normative Data of the 11- and 25-Item Versions

Abstract

Objectives

This study assesses the reliability and validity of two short forms of the German Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS 11- and 25-item versions) and provides normative data.

Methods

Data were collected from a representative sample of N = 1562 German schoolchildren and N = 757 pediatric chronic pain patients (ages 8–17).

Results

Cronbach's α demonstrated acceptable to good internal consistency for the total score as well as the depression and anxiety scales. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated acceptable to good model fit for both a 2-factor structure (RCADS-11) and a higher-order structure (RCADS-25). Multi-group CFAs demonstrated similar model structures across the school and pediatric chronic pain samples. Convergent validity was supported by moderate to high negative correlations with health-related quality of life and a high positive correlation with functional impairment. Girls—and to some extent, adolescents – scored significantly higher on anxiety and depression scales. The short versions demonstrated excellent agreement with the original 47-item RCADS (0.78 ≤ Cohen’s κ ≤ 1.0). German normative data are provided.

Conclusion

The short versions of the German RCADS are reliable and valid instruments for assessing anxiety and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents.