What Do Depression Rating Scales Measure?

Abstract

A large number of rating scales have been devised to assess the clinical construct of 'depression'. These scales have been universally used in research with little consideration of their content, or how they relate to accepted definitions of depressive disorder. The scales are often arbitrarily selected and used for the study on the assumption that all measure the same construct. The item analysis of a number of the most widely used depression scales reveals a variation in the areas of psychopathology they cover; some scales place greater emphasis upon the assessment of anxiety than upon depressed mood. Since disturbance in neurobiological systems is manifest by specific aspects of affective and behavioural malfunction, and since psychodynamic factors lead to particular cognitive sets, the advancement of research will depend upon the construction and validation of more refined measures than are provided by the present approach.

Prenatal and postnatal depression among low income Brazilian women

“…It should be remembered that the EPDS scale is not specific for depression since it is also influenced by symptoms of increased irritability and anxiety (13). Nevertheless, because of its simplicity and widespread use in several countries, it proved to be a good instrument for the present study.…”

The assessment of mood in adults who have severe or profound mental retardation

“…Given these differences, it is inevitable that assessment techniques based on different theoretical standpoints measure different constellations of symptoms or underlying causes of depression. Indeed, Snaith (1993) cautions unwary researchers against the erroneous assumption that rating scales which claim to assess depression actually measure the same concept.…”

“…Snaith (1993) points out that one of the major problems relates to the confusion surrounding the clinical concept of depression itself, given that the same term employed by different professionals often signifies different concepts. Snaith (1993) contends that the meaning implied by the use of the term "depression" depends largely on the theoretical stance of the user.…”

“…Snaith (1993) points out that one of the major problems relates to the confusion surrounding the clinical concept of depression itself, given that the same term employed by different professionals often signifies different concepts. Snaith (1993) contends that the meaning implied by the use of the term "depression" depends largely on the theoretical stance of the user. Thus, it is noted that "depression" used by a cognitive theorist might imply the presence of a collection of self-defeating beliefs, whereas "depression" for a biological psychiatrist probably implies a "state based on malfunction of neurotransmitter systems in the brain" (Snaith, 1993).…”

“…Snaith (1993) contends that the meaning implied by the use of the term "depression" depends largely on the theoretical stance of the user. Thus, it is noted that "depression" used by a cognitive theorist might imply the presence of a collection of self-defeating beliefs, whereas "depression" for a biological psychiatrist probably implies a "state based on malfunction of neurotransmitter systems in the brain" (Snaith, 1993). Given these differences, it is inevitable that assessment techniques based on different theoretical standpoints measure different constellations of symptoms or underlying causes of depression.…”