The measurement of depression: enhancing the predictive validity of the Beck Depression Inventory

Investigated whether the predictive validity of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) could be enhanced by having Ss complete the BDI under regular vs. a 6-week projected response set. Six hundred students participated in the initial screening phase, in which they were administered the BDI under both standard and projected instructional sets. Two groups were identified: High initial-high projected (N = 17) and high initial-low projected (N = 20). Additionally, a low initial-low projected control group (N = 13) was selected. At 5 to 6 weeks follow-up, these Ss again completed the BDI and were administered the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression as a criterion check. Except for the low-low group, which changed little at follow-up, the final BDIs were lower than initial BDIs. However, projected BDIs provided for more accurate classification than the initial screening BDI. Also, projected BDI scores were significant predictors of both final BDIs and the Hamilton ratings, whereas initial BDIs did not correlate significantly with either criterion. These data suggest that projected BDI protocols could serve as a practical alternative to more costly or time-consuming methods of selection of research populations.