Childhood depression: problems of definition.

The occurrence of depressive disorders in children is a problematic and confusing issue, and it is uncertain whether such behavior should be regarded as manifestations of depression so regarded in adults. Studies of childhood depression might benefit from approaches considering developmental differences in the patterning of depressive manifestations. Use of adult diagnostic criteria and premature disregard of developmental differences may impede accurate study and diagnoses of childhood depression. Empirical, multivariate approaches could be used to investigate symptom groupings to confirm existing diagnostic criteria, or stimulate adjustment of these criteria to identified developmental differences.