Assessment of Depression Among Incarcerated Females

Abstract

The use of the abridged BDI as a depression screening device for a sample of recently incarcerated adult female felons was explored, and the concurrent validity of the instrument was examined. The results indicated that the abridged BDI was a highly reliable measure which substantially and significantly correlated with the MMPI D scale, as well as other MMPI scales. In addition, individuals who tended to score high or depressed on the abridged BDI consistently described themselves on self-concept rating scales in the direction of low self-esteem and low self-worth. Substantial and statistically significant negative correlations were consistently observed between the abridged BDI and self-concept measures. Consistent patterns of relationships between the abridged BDI and MMPI, as well as between the abridged BDI and self-concept scales, emerged and were congruent with clinical descriptions of depression. The consistency and pattern of results added strong support to the concurrent validity of the abridged BDI.