Beck Depression Inventory
The Beck Depression Inventory-II is one of the most commonly used instruments in research and practice to measure the presence and severity of depression and has been widely used in suicide prevention research (Joe, Woolley, Brown, Ghahramanlou-Holloway, & Beck, 2008). The researchers led a study a cross-cultural examination of the reliability and validity of the Beck Depression Inventory-II. The study used 133 low-income African Americans out of a total sample of 216, 83 African American women participated and 50 men ages ranging 18-66.
Suicide has increased among ethnic minorities and 60% if suicides suffer from depression (Joe, Woolley, Brown, Ghahramanlou-Holloway, & Beck, 2008).The 21 item BDI-II was implemented to self-report and
address the severity of depression in adolescents and adults and 24- item Revised Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was given by clinicians to assess the depression in the participants.
The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the Beck Depression Inventory-II is reliable and a valid measure for depression and depression symptoms of African Americans that have attempted suicide. Establishing validity and reliability of such assessment tools in diverse racial and ethnic groups minimizes the likelihood of poor treatment decisions or erroneous research conclusions (Joe, Woolley, Brown, Ghahramanlou-Holloway, & Beck, 2008).
The study had several limitations. The participants were recruited all from the same urban hospital right after a suicide attempt, limiting the sample size to be very small and the large age differences were not addressed in this study. Though there are many weaknesses the researchers did do a great job of addressing the needs of an underserved population.
Suicide has increased among ethnic minorities and 60% if suicides suffer from depression (Joe, Woolley, Brown, Ghahramanlou-Holloway, & Beck, 2008).The 21 item BDI-II was implemented to self-report and
address the severity of depression in adolescents and adults and 24- item Revised Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was given by clinicians to assess the depression in the participants.
The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the Beck Depression Inventory-II is reliable and a valid measure for depression and depression symptoms of African Americans that have attempted suicide. Establishing validity and reliability of such assessment tools in diverse racial and ethnic groups minimizes the likelihood of poor treatment decisions or erroneous research conclusions (Joe, Woolley, Brown, Ghahramanlou-Holloway, & Beck, 2008).
The study had several limitations. The participants were recruited all from the same urban hospital right after a suicide attempt, limiting the sample size to be very small and the large age differences were not addressed in this study. Though there are many weaknesses the researchers did do a great job of addressing the needs of an underserved population.