Relationship between distortions in self-perception of depression and psychopathology

The present study investigated the relationship between distortions in self-perceived depression and generalized psychopathology. Alcoholic inpatients were asked to choose the more depressed patient in each pair of a paired-comparison rating task. Patients also were administered the Beck Depression Inventory as an objective measure of depression and the MMPI as a measure of overall psychopathology. Individuals who had a marked discrepancy between their self-perceived and objectively measured level of depression had significant elevations (T-score greater than 70) on 5 of the 10 MMPI clinical scales. The High Distortion group, whose mean MMPI profile was categorized as psychiatric, appeared to be more depressed, anxious, socially immature and alienated and to have increased difficulties in thinking and communication than Ss in the Low Distortion group. These findings substantiate the hypothesis that an individual's inability to perceive accurately the level of his depression is related to a greater degree of overall psychopathology.