Year: 1994 Source: Journal of Pediatric Psychology, v.19, no.2, (April 1994), p.149-169 SIEC No: 20010724

The author reviewed 60 studies of depressive symptoms among children & adolescents with chronic medical problems. Findings indicate that children with a chronic medical problem are at slightly elevated risk for depressive symptoms but that most are not clinically depressed. Although great variability in depressive symptoms was found across children with the same disorder, children with certain disorders may be at greater risk than children with other disorders. Disorder severity was inconsistently related to depressive symptoms while time since diagnosis, gender, & age were generally unrelated to symptoms. Parent vs. child ratings & the use of community vs. normative control groups were associated with higher ratings of depressive symptoms among children with a chronic medical problem. (95 refs.)