Utility of the Beck Depression Inventory with clinic-referred adolescents

This study reports on the utilization of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA) in a sample of 100 clinic referred adolescents. Results indicate that the BDI efficiently identified and differentiated depressed from nondepressed adolescents. In addition, greater levels of depressive symptomatology and depressive disorder were found in girls. Reasons for these general sex differences are discussed, and it is concluded that a psychological explanation appears more promising than existing biological explanations.