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Specificity of the beck depression inventory and the confounding role of comorbid disorders in a clinical sample

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Abstract

The current study explored the psychopathological specificity, both low and high end, of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the confounding role of comorbid disorders in a clinical sample. Current results provide some of the first clinical support for previous recommendations regarding the use of multiple assessment methods or amultiple-gate strategy to diagnose nosologic depression in clinical samples. More specifically, results confirm previously raised concerns about both low- and high-end specificity of the BDI, particularly when it is to used as the sole screening or diagnostic instrument in a clinical sample with anticipated high base rates for psychiatric disorders and the increased probability of comorbid disorders. Current results have a number of important interpretative implications both in terms of identifying appropriate samples for study as well as the significance and meaning of observed relationships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Texas A & M University, Health Sciences Center, Scott and White Clinic and Hospital, 2401 S. 31 Street, 76508, Temple, Texas

    M. David Rudd & M. Hasan Rajab

Authors
  1. M. David Rudd
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  2. M. Hasan Rajab
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Additional information

This research was supported by grant R18 MH48097-02 from the National Institute of Mental Health, Prevention Research Branch.

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David Rudd, M., Hasan Rajab, M. Specificity of the beck depression inventory and the confounding role of comorbid disorders in a clinical sample. Cogn Ther Res 19, 51–68 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02229676

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