Empirical Validity

This instrument was developed by Aaron T. Beck who is a pioneer cognitive therapist. This instrument is commonly called the BDI and was developed in 1961. It was adapted in 1969 and a copyright was obtained in 1979. In developing the instrument Beck used a series of questions which enabled him to adequately measure the strength severity and complexity of depression. There are two versions of BDI, a long version which has 21 questions mostly used to measure specific symptom common with all patient suffering from depression. The shorter version which is composed of seven questions is meant to be used in a primary healthcare setting, with main purpose to evaluate, and monitor changes in of depression.

Depression is pervasive in both mental health and medical settings. In the US, the number of discharges with major depressive disorder as first-listed diagnosis was estimated 395,000 for 2010. The CDC also cites the percentage of persons 12 years of age and older with depression in any 2-week period at an estimated 8% between 2007-2010 (CDC, 2015). The American Psychiatric Associates guidelines on treatment of Major Depressive Disorder recommend the ongoing monitoring of symptoms among patients. Specifically, the APA recommends “systemically assessing symptoms of illness and the effects of treatment”. Consideration is given to matching clinical observations with clinician and/or patient administered rating scale measurements for initial and ongoing evaluation (American Psychiatric Association,

This paper explores three different commonly administered mental health assessments. These three assessments are The Mental Status Exam (MSE) (brief version), The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The MSE is for client mental status. The BDI accesses the level of depression a client is experiencing. The BAI accesses the level of anxiety a client is experiencing. In doing this assignment and the different practice assessments, we will get comfortable with the instruments that are utilized as a part of diagnosing and additionally treating clients with mental health illness issues. These basic tools are helpful for HUS experts to portray and comprehend the mental status of a client. While acquiring these assessments, certain data is required. The purpose, value, and usefulness of these assessments will be explained. For this paper, an anonymous pretend client will be created and a practice MSE assessment will be conducted and reported. The outcomes give a more overall comprehension of what is happening with the client so that the client can get the best treatment for their psychological illness. That overall comprehension accompanies limitations because there is not enough information provided to adequately

“4. Compare the mean baseline and posttest depression scores of the control group. Do these scores strengthen or weaken the validity of the

However, the researchers in this study could not transfer this reliability estimator to their study because they adapted the original measure. They selected a portion of the items from the English version and used them for the Hmong tasks.

DAS is recommended for this group as it is reliable and gives correct prediction and outcomes regarding depression. This assessment tool is easy to use; it is a self-report scale consisting of 40 items with each item having a statement and 7-point Likert scale. The questions used in this assessment are direct and easy making it efficient for most individuals' use (de Graaf, Roelofs, & Huibers, 2009). Besides,

In both Arbisi (2001) and Farmer’s (2001) review of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) addresses an area of weaknesses was the prior version BDI lacked the diagnostic questions that related to self esteem, energy level, frustration and lack of interest. Both authors agreed that the change was necessary and now aligns with a full assessment of depression signs (Arbisi, 2001), (Farmer, 2001). It appears from the articles that both authors agree on the improvements and easy administration of the assessment.

The BDI-II is a 21-item self-report instrument measuring the severity of depression (e.g. looking at symptoms of depression) in adults and adolescents (Beck, et al., 1996).

The Beck Depression Inventory- Second Edition (BDI-II) is a 21-item mental health instrument for assessing the occurrence and severity of depression in adults and adolescents, 13 years and older (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996, pg. 1). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) includes: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, weight loss, insomnia or hypersomnia, fatigue or loss of energy, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. The BDI-II accurately portrays questions addressing these diagnostic features within the instrument. The face validity shows the test is transparent and purports to measure what it claims. For example, question

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of DSM-IV TR, as well as new changes for DSM-V.

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is one of the more popular and accepted self-report measuring assessments for depression. According to Dozios, Dobson and Ahlberg (1998), “The BDI-II proposes to measure the presence and severity of depression in psychiatrically diagnosed patients and in normal populations of both adolescents and adults” (p.83). The assessment itself is composed of a 21-item multiple-choice inventory measuring depressive symptoms and their severity. The 21 different items of measurement for the BDI-II each relate directly to specific common characteristics of depression and are as follows: sadness, pessimism, past failure, loss of pleasure, guilty feelings, punishment feelings, self-dislike, self-criticalness, suicidal

Reliability refers to coherence, stability and dependability in test results, generally using internal consistency to express the levels of reliability in the test. The higher reliability indicates the higher level of accordance, stabilization and dependability in test results. Reliability is the precondition of validity (Guba and Lincoln, 1981). The same findings may not generate if the same research is repeated, because many influencing factors may work in the process of research. The process of establishment in reliability research includes: the research rigorously collect and explain data in consistent investigation (internal checks); the process is transparent (sample design, field work, inquiry and rational data). Patton (1987) suggests that the use of triangulation in multiple approaches can increase the reliability in results.

In this next section, the three selected tests will be reviewed for their "appropriateness of test content, skills tested, and content coverage for the intended purpose of testing," (Code, 2004, p. 5, See #2). ASEBA 's behavior checklist and self-reports contains DSM-Oriented, syndrome, competence, and adaptive functioning scales that target specific behavior, thought, emotions, and social interactions, (Lacalle et al, 2012). As a result, this test can provide appropriate behavioral treatment plans. When Lacelle, Ezpeleta, and Doménech evaluated this test,

The items of the BAI were drawn from three earlier self-report instruments that measured various aspects of anxiety. The BAI was developed with adult psychiatric outpatients and the manual recommends using caution with other clinical populations.

The Beck Depression Inventory is a self-administered test, administered in a group setting or individually, that measures the severity of depression symptoms and attitudes of depression (pg 1 of manual). The revised Beck Depression Inventory was specifically designed to assess the severity of depression in clinically diagnosed patients. However, the revised Beck Depression Inventory was not specifically developed to be used as a screening instrument in normal populations or to reflect any specific theory of depression. Although the BDI is oftentimes used for screening in normal populations, it should be used with caution because high BDI scores do not necessarily indicated depression. This provides an indication of the level of intensity a patient’s depression is for the past week including the day of administration for clinicians.