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Beck Depression Inventory
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About Scale Name
Scale Name
Beck Depression Inventory
Author Details
Dr. Aaron T. Beck
Translation Availability
Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese, Urdu and Others
Background/Description
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a self-report questionnaire developed by Dr. Aaron T. Beck in 1961 to assess the severity of depression in individuals. The BDI was developed as an alternative to the clinician-administered psychiatric interviews for assessing depression, which were time-consuming and required specialized training.
The original version of the BDI, known as BDI-I, consisted of 21 items assessing various symptoms of depression such as sadness, loss of pleasure or interest, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and suicidal thoughts or impulses. Each item was rated on a scale from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating greater severity of depression.
In 1996, a revised version of the BDI known as the BDI-II was developed to address some limitations of the original version. The BDI-II includes 21 items, similar to the original version, but with revised wording to improve clarity and relevance. The response format was also changed to a four-point scale from 0 to 3. The BDI-II has been shown to have good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity in both clinical and non-clinical populations.
The BDI is widely used in both research and clinical settings to assess the severity of depression and to monitor treatment progress. It is important to note that the BDI is not intended to be used as a diagnostic tool for depression, but rather as a screening measure to identify individuals who may be experiencing symptoms of depression and require further evaluation.
Scoring, Administration and Interpretation
Scoring: The scoring of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is based on the total score obtained by adding up the scores for each of the 21 items. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating greater severity of depression. The maximum possible score on the BDI is 63.
Interpretation: The interpretation of the BDI score depends on the purpose and context of the assessment. In general, higher scores on the BDI indicate a greater severity of depressive symptoms.
For the original version, BDI-I, the following guidelines are used for interpreting scores:
0-9: Minimal or no depression
10-18: Mild to moderate depression
19-29: Moderate to severe depression
30-63: Severe depression
For the newer version, BDI-II, the following guidelines are used for interpreting scores:
0-13: Minimal depression
14-19: Mild depression
20-28: Moderate depression
29-63: Severe depression
Administration: The BDI is a self-report questionnaire that can be administered in various ways, including a paper-and-pencil format or an electronic format. The individual being assessed is asked to read each statement and choose the response that best describes their experience over the past week. The BDI takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.
It is important to note that the BDI is not intended to be used as a diagnostic tool for depression, but rather as a screening measure to identify individuals who may be experiencing symptoms of depression and require further evaluation.
Reliability and Validity
Reliability: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) has been shown to have good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and inter-rater reliability. Internal consistency refers to the degree to which the items on the questionnaire measure the same construct, while test-retest reliability refers to the consistency of scores over time. Inter-rater reliability refers to the degree of agreement between different raters administering the BDI.
Several studies have reported high internal consistency for both versions of the BDI, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.80 to 0.93 for the BDI-I and from 0.86 to 0.93 for the BDI-II. Test-retest reliability coefficients for the BDI-I range from 0.48 to 0.86, with higher coefficients reported in clinical populations. Similarly, test-retest reliability coefficients for the BDI-II range from 0.73 to 0.96, with higher coefficients in clinical populations.
Validity: The validity of the BDI has been supported by several studies examining its convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity. Convergent validity refers to the degree to which the BDI correlates with other measures of depression or related constructs, such as anxiety or stress. Discriminant validity refers to the degree to which the BDI does not correlate with measures of unrelated constructs. Criterion-related validity refers to the degree to which the BDI predicts outcomes that are expected to be related to depression, such as treatment response or suicide risk.
Numerous studies have reported high correlations between the BDI and other measures of depression, supporting its convergent validity. The BDI has also been shown to discriminate between individuals with depression and those without, supporting its discriminant validity. In terms of criterion-related validity, the BDI has been shown to predict treatment response, with higher baseline BDI scores predicting poorer treatment outcomes. Additionally, the BDI has been shown to predict suicide attempts and completed suicides, highlighting its utility in identifying individuals at risk for suicide.
Available Versions
21-Items
Reference
Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 4(6), 561-571. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1961.01710120031004
Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1996). Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently asked Questions
What is the Beck Depression Inventory?
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a widely used self-report questionnaire designed to measure the severity of depression in individuals.
Who developed the BDI?
The BDI was developed by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck and his colleagues in the 1960s as a tool for assessing the presence and severity of depressive symptoms.
How does the BDI work?
The BDI consists of 21 multiple-choice questions that assess different aspects of depressive symptoms, such as feelings of sadness, guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Each question has four possible responses, which are scored from 0 to 3 based on severity.
What is the purpose of the BDI?
The BDI is used primarily as a screening tool to help diagnose depression and monitor changes in symptom severity over time. It can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for depression.
Is the BDI a diagnostic tool for depression?
While the BDI can be a useful tool for assessing the severity of depressive symptoms, it is not intended as a diagnostic tool for depression. A diagnosis of depression requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a qualified mental health professional.
Can the BDI be used for other mental health conditions?
While the BDI was originally designed to assess depression, it has also been used to evaluate symptoms related to other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders.
What are the advantages of using the BDI?
The BDI is a simple and easy-to-administer tool that can provide valuable information about an individual’s level of depression. It can be used in both clinical and research settings, and has been shown to have good reliability and validity.
What are the limitations of using the BDI?
The BDI is a self-report questionnaire, which means that it relies on the individual’s willingness and ability to accurately report their symptoms. Additionally, the BDI is not a substitute for a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a qualified mental health professional. Finally, the BDI does not provide information about the underlying causes of depression, or the most appropriate treatment options.
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