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The Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire for Depression in Youth: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

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Abstract

We aimed to assess cross-cultural differences in depressive symptoms and the validity of the Korean version of the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Four hundred and sixty-four children and adolescents (aged 7–19, 278 girls) with any psychiatric diagnosis, 290 of whom had major depressive disorder, were included. The levels of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents were evaluated by children/adolescents and their parents. We conducted Pearson’s r and Cronbach’s α, confirmative factor analysis and item response theory tests. The Korean version of the MFQ demonstrated excellent criterion validity and discriminant validity. There were no cultural differences in the clinical manifestations of depression in youth from Western countries and Korea. Korean youths with depression were more likely to complain of cognitive and emotional symptoms than somatic symptoms. The Korean version of the MFQ demonstrated promising psychometric properties in a clinical sample of children and adolescents.

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The content of this article is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the sponsor. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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  1. Jae-Won Kim

    Present address: Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Haebin Kim & Jae-Won Kim

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Haebin Kim

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea

    Kyoungmin Kim

  4. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Won Kim

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  1. Haebin Kim
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Kim, H., Kim, K. & Kim, JW. The Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire for Depression in Youth: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 52, 399–408 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01026-0

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