Publication Date

8-1-2007

Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Education Specialist

Abstract

Depression is a disorder frequently noted in college students that can affect multiple aspects of one's life, ranging from physical health issues to interpersonal relationship difficulties. Therefore, it is imperative that the depressive symptoms of college students be identified, evaluated, and treated. This investigation explored the validity of a newly published self-report narrow-band measure of depression, the Clinical Assessment of Depression (CAD; Bracken & Howell, 2004) with an existing broad-band measure, the Brief Symptom Inventory (Derogatis, 1993). College students 18 to 52 years of age (n = 280) enrolled in undergraduate courses in psychology at a south central Kentucky university provided the study data. Strong positive correlations (.60 to 1.0) supported convergent validity between three of the five scales on the CAD with the BSI Global Severity Index. Moderate level correlations (.20 to .60) between dissimilar scales supported divergent validity between the two measures. The correlations between the measures generally supported stronger relationships between scales of similar symptom patterns. Acceptable classification consistency (80%) existed between the two measures using the BSI Global Severity Index at or above a T score of 63 and the CAD two standard deviations above the mean classification criterion (T > 70). The combination of the two criterion resulted in acceptable classification consistency for all CAD scales with the BSI Somatization, Depression and Anxiety Scales. This study also investigated gender differences. Independent /-tests evidenced no mean score differences based on gender for the CAD Total score. Results support the use of the CAD as an adequate diagnostic tool for depression with college students. A discussion of implications for use of the CAD provides guides for practice and suggestions for further research.

Disciplines

Education | Mental and Social Health | Psychology

Download

Share

COinS