Two self-rating scales of psychological distress, the Symptom Rating Test (SRT) and the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), have been validated in translations in Italy. They were administered in several studies to psychiatric patients (neurotics and depressives), matched controls, and patients suffering from various organic illnesses (dermatologic disorders, hypertension, secondary amenorrhea and patients undergoing amniocentesis). The SRT and the SQ sensitively discriminated between psychiatric patients and normals, between different levels of psychological distress in several of the somatic illnesses, and detected significant changes in the psychological status of patients participating in medical procedures such as amniocentesis. The scales were found to be useful in research in psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. The findings suggest that the Italian translations are valid and sensitive scales of distress and can apparently be used as effectively in research as the original. They are likely to be of value in cross-cultural research in Canada. Both scales may be helpful in the psychological assessment of Italian immigrants in North America and Australia, especially in those whose English is poor.
The Hamilton Rating Scale for depression (HDRS) has become the standard observer rating scale for depression, yet there are no adequate data from normal samples. The present study was carried out in northern Italy. The purposes were 1) to examine the ratings in normals and 2) to examine the scale's validity in the different language and culture. The scale was used in 40 normals and 40 depressives who were matched. Two self-rating scales of depression were administered: the Symptom Rating Test and the Symptom Questionnaire. The results show that the HDRS is a valid measure in that it sensitively discriminates between depressed patients and normals. The findings support Hamilton's view that only the first 17 items of the scale are appropriate for computing the score. The use of self-rating scales yielded additional information. The misclassification rate of the Symptom Rating Test was similar to that of the HDRS. The combined use of Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) and HDRS appears to be more reliable for the selection of depressed patients for research than the RDC only.
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