What is the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)?

The Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) is a widely used, validated screening tool designed to assess depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged 8-18 years. It helps identify young people who may be experiencing depression and need further evaluation or support.

Who developed the MFQ and when?

Developed by Adrian Angold and Elizabeth J. Costello at Duke University Medical Center in the 1980s, with extensive validation studies conducted through the 1990s and 2000s.

What type of assessment is it?

It is a self-report questionnaire that can be completed by the child/adolescent or by parents/caregivers reporting on the young person's symptoms.

What does the MFQ assess?

• Core depressive symptoms (sadness, anhedonia)
• Somatic symptoms (fatigue, sleep/appetite changes)
• Cognitive symptoms (worthlessness, concentration difficulties)
• Suicidal thoughts and self-harm ideation
• Psychomotor changes (agitation, retardation)
• Severity of depressive symptoms over past 2 weeks

How many items and what format?

33 items (long form) rated on a 3-point scale: 0=Not True, 1=Sometimes True, 2=True. There is also a 13-item short form available. Items assess symptoms experienced in the past 2 weeks.

How is the MFQ scored?

Total score is the sum of all items (range 0-66 for long form, 0-26 for short form):
• 0-12: Minimal symptoms
• 13-20: Mild depression
• 21-30: Moderate depression
• 31+: Severe depression

Who can use this assessment?

Children and adolescents aged 8-18, parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals screening for depression in young people.

What are the strengths of the MFQ?

Age-appropriate language, good psychometric properties, widely researched, available in multiple languages, can be used for screening or monitoring treatment progress.

What are the limitations?

Self-report measure may be influenced by current mood state; doesn't provide clinical diagnosis; should be used as part of comprehensive assessment.

Clinical and Research Applications

• Screening for depression in pediatric populations
• Monitoring treatment response in depressed youth
• Epidemiological studies of childhood depression
• Research on developmental trajectories of depression
• School-based mental health screening programs