Unbiased criteria for severity of depression in alcoholic inpatients. J Nerv Ment Dis 1985 Aug;173(8):482-7
Date
08/01/1985Pubmed ID
4020366DOI
10.1097/00005053-198508000-00005Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0022404325 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 22 CitationsAbstract
The internal consistency of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is assessed in 106 inpatient alcoholics by using a latent trait model. The analysis confirms that the BDI measures a single underlying dimension of depressive severity among alcoholics. Seven symptoms discriminate well for severity of depression. These seven--work inhibition, guilt, self-disgust, irritability, indecision, dissatisfaction, and loss of social interest--may represent criteria for depressive severity that are not confounded by chronic drinking, physical withdrawal, unique personality organization, or life circumstances of alcoholics. Three of the symptoms--dissatisfaction, loss of social interest, indecision--may represent core criteria for depressive severity by virtue of their previously demonstrated ability to discriminate well for severity of depression among both psychiatric and medical inpatients.
Author List
Clark DC, Gibbons RD, Fawcett J, Aagesen CA, Sellers DAuthor
David C. Clark PhD Assistant Dean, Professor in the Research Office department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAlcoholism
Depressive Disorder
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Hospitalization
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders
Middle Aged
Models, Psychological
Personality Inventory
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychometrics
