How long does this quiz take?

This quiz takes about 5-10 minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz diagnose depression in my child?

No. This quiz is a screening tool designed to highlight possible areas of concern, not to provide a clinical diagnosis.

Can these results help me decide whether to seek professional support?

Yes. The results can help guide conversations with teachers, pediatricians, or mental health professionals.

This parent-guided quiz helps identify emotional and mood-related difficulties in children before they become more entrenched.

Depression Self-Rating Scale For Children

A gentle way to check in on your child’s inner world.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 17, 2025

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Children don’t always have the words to explain how they feel, especially when emotions like sadness, boredom, or loneliness linger beneath the surface. The Child Mood And Emotional Well-Being Scale is designed to help parents and caregivers gain structured insight into a child’s recent emotional experiences in a way that feels supportive rather than intimidating.

This quiz focuses on common emotional, behavioral, and physical signs that can accompany low mood in children, such as reduced enjoyment, low energy, sleep difficulties, and social withdrawal. It is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a conversation starter that can help families notice patterns and decide whether additional support may be helpful. Tracking emotional well-being early can strengthen communication and reinforce the message that feelings matter.

For parents who are also navigating their own stress or exhaustion, the Parental Burnout Assessment can offer valuable context, since caregiver well-being and child well-being are closely linked.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: This quiz takes about 5-10 minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Depression Self-Rating Scale For Children answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Depression Self-Rating Scale For Children results may have changed.
Will this quiz diagnose depression in my child?: No. This quiz is a screening tool designed to highlight possible areas of concern, not to provide a clinical diagnosis.
Can these results help me decide whether to seek professional support?: Yes. The results can help guide conversations with teachers, pediatricians, or mental health professionals.

Child Mood & Emotional Well-Being Scale: Take The Test

Step 1: Give Your Ratings Below

For each statement, indicate how true it has felt for your child over the past week on a scale of 1 (Not True) to 5 (Very True). For best results, answer honestly and go with your first impression.

1. My child struggles to stand up for themselves.

2. My child has expressed thoughts that life feels pointless.

3. My child doubts their abilities or feels they are not good at things.

4. My child shows less interest in hobbies they once enjoyed.

5. My child avoids talking with friends or family.

6. My child has frequent bad dreams or nightmares.

7. My child often seems lonely, even around others.

8. My child is hard to comfort or cheer up.

9. My child appears overwhelmed by sadness.

10. My child frequently says they feel bored or uninterested.

11. My child looks forward to activities less than they used to.

12. My child has been sleeping poorly or waking often.

13. My child seems tearful or on the verge of crying.

14. My child avoids playing or spending time outside more than before.

15. My child has talked about wanting to escape or disappear.

16. My child complains of stomach discomfort without a clear cause.

17. My child seems low on energy most days.

18. My child enjoys meals less than they used to.

19. My child has trouble concentrating or staying focused, even on simple tasks.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Depression Self-Rating Scale For Children Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Birleson, P., Hudson, I., Buchanan, D. G., & Wolff, S. (1987). Clinical evaluation of a self-rating scale for depressive disorder in childhood. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 28(1), 43–60.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.