The clinical utility of the Beck Depression Inventory after traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to determine the relative endorsement of somatic-performance and cognitive-affective items in this group.


METHODS
Prospective 2 year follow up assessment.


METHODS
117 patients discharged from an inpatient TBI rehabilitation service completed the BDI as part of a 24 month follow up assessment. Demographic and injury related data were obtained from patient files and significant others.


RESULTS
A principal components analysis revealed three factors describing affective and performance items, negative attitudes towards oneself and somatic disturbance. The reliability estimate was high (coefficient alpha = 0.92). A dependent sample t-test revealed higher endorsement of the cognitive-affective subscale with more clients classified as at least moderately depressed using the cognitive-affective rather than the total BDI score.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that the BDI may be an effective screening tool for self reported depression in TBI.
Green
A
A
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. alisag@biru.wsahs.nsw.gov.au
Felmingham
K
K
Baguley
I J
IJ
Slewa-Younan
S
S
Simpson
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index