Screening Utility of the PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 for Depression in College Students: Relationships with Substantive Scales of the MMPI-3

Abstract

We investigated the validity and screening effectiveness of the PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 scores in 229 college students in a cross-sectional design. PHQ associations with Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 internalizing scales suggest PHQ scores are effective screening tools for college students and may aid in effective triage and service needs.

Keywords:

• MMPI-3
• college health
• psychological assessment
• depression

Data Availability Statement

Data is available upon reasonable request.

Disclosure of Interest

The authors have received research support from Pearson Clinical Assessments and the University of Minnesota Press, Test Division, distributor and publisher of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) family of instruments, of which the MMPI-3 belongs. No funding was obtained for this study, however. The authors report there are no other competing interests to declare.

Notes

1 PHQ-9 total scores were also used to classify participants into five feigning groups using recommended interpretive guidelines of PHQ-9 total scores. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to compare groups across the MMPI-3 internalizing. Results can be seen in Supplemental Table S1.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cole S. Morris

Cole S. Morris’ research aims to improve the diagnostic utility, implementation, and efficiency of psychological assessment, particularly amongst individuals who are transgender and gender non-conforming.

Paul B. Ingram

Paul B. Ingram’s research focuses on advancing evidence-based assessment and barriers to engagement and retention in mental health services.

Sean M. Mitchell

Sean M. Mitchell’s research focuses on suicide risk and prevention among high-risk individuals, such as individuals with severe mental illness and individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Sarah E. Victor

Sarah E. Victor’s research is focused on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide. She is interested in identifying factors that increase risk for these problems across people, as well as intra-individual factors that contribute to short-term changes in self-harm risk in daily life.