Scoring and Interpretation
Each item on the measure is rated on a 4-point scale (0=Not at all; 1=Several days; 2=More than half the days; and
3=Nearly every day). The total score can range from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater severity of depression.
The clinician is asked to review the score of each item on the measure during the clinical interview and indicate the raw
score in the section provided for “Clinician Use.” The raw scores on the 9 items should be summed to obtain a total raw
score and should be interpreted using the table below:
Interpretation of Total Raw Score
0-4 = None
5-9 = Mild
10-14 = Moderate
15-19 = Moderately severe
20-27 = Severe
Note: If 3 or more items are left unanswered, the total raw score on the measure should not be used. Therefore, the
child should be encouraged to complete all of the items on the measure. If 1 or 2 items are left unanswered, you are
asked to calculate a prorated score. The prorated score is calculated by summing the scores of items that were
answered to get a partial raw score. Multiply the partial raw score by the total number of items on the PHQ-9 modified
for Adolescents (PHQ-A)—Modified (i.e., 9) and divide the value by the number of items that were actually answered
(i.e., 7 or 8). The formula to prorate the partial raw score to Total Raw Score is:
____________(Raw sum x 9)______________
Number of items that were actually answered
If the result is a fraction, round to the nearest whole number.
Frequency of Use
To track changes in the severity of the child’s depression over time, the measure may be completed at regular intervals
as clinically indicated, depending on the stability of the child’s symptoms and treatment status. Consistently high scores
on a particular domain may indicate significant and problematic areas for the child that might warrant further
assessment, treatment, and follow-up. Your clinical judgment should guide your decision.
