Convergent Validity of a Single Question with Multiple Classification Options for Depression Screening in Medical Settings

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the convergent validity of a single depression question with multiple classification options for depression screening. Participants were 40 medical inpatients. The age range of our sample was 18 to 85 years (M = 56.15, SD = 17.66). A clinical interview and the BDI-II were administered. The correlation between patients’ self-rating classification of depression and their BDI-II classification was significant, rs(38) = .90, p < .01. Follow-up repeated-measures chi-square revealed a statistically significant association between BDI-II classification and patients’ self-rating classification, χ2(9, N = 40) = 47.79, p < .005. Significant positive standardized residuals revealed a clear linear relationship between BDI-II and patient self-rating classifications. Our data support the use of a single depression question with multiple classification options as a useful and valid means of quickly screening for the presence of depression by frontline health care professionals.