Sensitivity and specificity of depression questionnaires in a college-age sample

J Genet Psychol. 2008 Sep;169(3):281-8. doi: 10.3200/GNTP.169.3.281-292.

Abstract

The authors evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; A. T. Beck, R. A. Steer, & G. K. Brown, 1996) and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CESD; L. S. Radloff, 1977) questionnaires for a college-student sample. Results indicate that the BDI-II and CES-D evidenced satisfactory levels of specificity and positive predictive value for current, past-year, and lifetime depressive disorder ratings on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Researchers can use the questionnaires as valid initial screens in a two-stage process designed to identify individuals meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (American Psychiatic Association) criteria for depressive disorders. However, if the questionnaires are the only method used to select participants, the resulting sample may include a number of false positives.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychological Tests*
  • ROC Curve
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • United States