Self-Report Measure
Sample Solution
Measure: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
Purpose of the test:
The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is a self-report measure designed to assess the severity of depression in adults and adolescents (ages 13 and over).
Target population:
Adults and adolescents (ages 13 and over).
Author(s):
A.T. Beck, A.J. Steer, & M. Gamblin (1996).
Reference:
Full Answer Section
Beck, A. T., Steer, M., & Garbin, E. (1988). Beck Depression Inventory-II manual. Psychological Corporation.
Brief description of the development study:
The BDI-II development study involved several phases:
- Item generation: The authors generated an initial pool of items based on their clinical experience and existing depression inventories.
- Pilot testing: The items were administered to a sample of depressed and non-depressed individuals to assess clarity and relevance.
- Final item selection: Based on pilot testing results, the final 21 items were chosen for the BDI-II.
- Psychometric evaluation: The BDI-II's reliability and validity were evaluated in a large sample (n=1,430) consisting of psychiatric outpatients, medical outpatients, and normal controls.
Psychometric properties:
- Reliability: The BDI-II demonstrated high internal consistency (coefficient alpha = 0.90) and good test-retest reliability over a two-week period (r = 0.90).
- Validity: The BDI-II showed strong convergent validity with clinician diagnoses of depression and other depression measures. Studies also support its construct validity, with scores correlating with measures of negative affect and hopelessness.
Factors measured:
The BDI-II assesses various symptoms of depression, including:
- Sadness
- Hopelessness
- Guilt
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite or sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Suicidal ideation
Norm sample:
The BDI-II development study utilized a large and diverse sample, including outpatients with diagnosed depression, medical outpatients, and non-depressed control participants.
Problems with the study and how the authors could improve it:
- Limited demographic information: The study report could benefit from providing more detailed information about the demographics of the sample (e.g., age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status).
- Culturally specific validity: While the BDI-II has been translated and adapted for use in various cultures, further research on its cultural validity is important.
Scoring:
Each item on the BDI-II is scored on a 0-3 scale, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. The total score is then calculated by summing the scores of all items.
Blank version of the measure:
Due to copyright restrictions, it's not possible to include a full copy of the BDI-II here. However, you can find sample versions online for educational purposes.
Scoring key:
Scoring instructions are typically included in the BDI-II manual. Briefly, each item has a corresponding score based on the severity of the symptom described. Scores are then summed to obtain a total score.
Score interpretation:
BDI-II scores are interpreted according to the following ranges:
- 0-13: Minimal depression
- 14-19: Mild depression
- 20-28: Moderate depression
- 29-63: Severe depression
It's important to note that the BDI-II is a screening tool and should not be used for sole diagnosis of depression. A mental health professional should always conduct a comprehensive evaluation.