Recognizing depression: Preliminary testing of the Whitney Observational Depression Index

The preliminary results of an observational instrument for depression is presented. The Whitney Observational Depression Index (WODI) was developed to capitalize on the observational powers of both formal and informal caregivers who care for vulnerable populations (such as stroke victims), among whom self-report depression measures are unreliable or impossible to use. It is a 59-item checklist with a total score and subscale scores related to verbal-cognitive, affective, and vegetative signs noted on observation. The scale shows good construct, content, face, and criterion validity (convergent and divergent), inter-rater reliability, and within-subject reliability. The WODI shows significant correlations with accepted depression measures (Beck Depression Index, r = 0.19, p = <0.05; Zung Depression Scale, r = 0.23, p= <0.01). Further testing is suggested to allow factor analysis of the items and other statistical testing. There is optimism expressed for the use of this instrument in both research and clinical settings.