Mood and Feelings Questionnaire - Short Version (MFQ-Short Version)
What it is
The MFQ-Short Version (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire - Short Version) is a brief self-report questionnaire designed to assess depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. It helps identify how a young person has been feeling emotionally over the past two weeks, focusing on symptoms like sadness, irritability, and loss of interest in activities.
- Note there are two spearate versions for a child and parent/caregiver.
This tool is widely used in both clinical settings and schools to screen for signs of depression and to understand how a child or teenager may be struggling with their mood. It provides a quick way for caregivers and clinicians to recognize when a child may need additional support or intervention.
How is it used
The MFQ-Short Version is suitable for children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years and takes just about 5 minutes to complete. The questions are written in a way that is easy for young people to understand, making it a practical tool for screening depressive symptoms.
The MFQ is often used in schools, counseling sessions, and pediatric clinics to quickly gauge a child’s emotional well-being. It can also be helpful for tracking changes over time, especially when monitoring the effectiveness of therapy or other interventions.
What do the scores mean?
The MFQ-Child-Short Version consists of 13 questions, with each question rated on a scale of 0 (not true), 1 (sometimes true), or 2 (true). The questions focus on common symptoms of depression, such as feeling sad, losing interest in things they used to enjoy, or feeling tired.
The total score can range from 0 to 26, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of depression. Here’s how to interpret the total score:
- 0 to 7: Minimal or no symptoms. The child is likely coping well, with no significant signs of depression.
- 8 to 12: Mild symptoms. The child may experience some emotional challenges but they are usually manageable. Monitoring and supportive conversations may be helpful.
- 13 to 18: Moderate symptoms. The child may be experiencing difficulties that interfere with their daily life. It might be beneficial to explore therapeutic support.
- 19 and above: Severe symptoms. This indicates significant distress, suggesting that a professional assessment and intervention are recommended.
The MFQ-Child-Short Version is useful for identifying when a child may be at risk of depression and can help initiate conversations with parents, teachers, or mental health professionals about how to best support the child.
What does the research say?
The MFQ-Short Version is a well-researched, reliable, and valid tool that has been widely used in studies and clinical practice. It is backed by evidence showing that it effectively identifies depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. The short version is designed to be quick and easy to administer while still accurately capturing important symptoms.
One of the strengths of the MFQ-Short Version is its focus on recent symptoms, which helps capture changes in mood over a short period. This makes it particularly useful for tracking a child’s response to treatment or other interventions.
Note: The MFQ-Short Version is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Higher scores suggest that it may be beneficial to consult with a mental health professional for a comprehensive evaluation.
Developer
Angold, et al. (1995). Development of a short questionnaire for use in epidemiological studies of depression in children and adolescents (Vol. 5, pp. 237–249).