Cross-Cultural Validity of the Depression Adjective Check List with a Sample of Black and White Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

The validity of the Depression Adjective Check List and a specially developed check list were assessed with 48 black and 53 white juvenile offenders (70 boys, 31 girls) against self-ratings and ratings of 2 black and 2 white teachers. Both check lists correlated significantly with self- (−.29, −.30) and teachers' ratings (.36, .26) for white offenders, although teachers' ratings were correlated unexpectedly negatively with self-ratings (−.41). Only the special check list scores correlated with the two ratings for black offenders. The necessity of limiting use of tests to populations for which they have been validated is discussed.