title: Mean Beck Depression Inventory-II scores of outpatients with dysthymic or recurrent-episode major depressive disorders.
abstract: The Beck Depression Inventory-II, published in 1996, was administered to 100 adult outpatients (Age M=43.1 yr., SD=15.6) who were diagnosed with a recurrent-episode Major Depressive Disorder and 100 outpatients (Age M=42.8 yr., SD=15.7) who were diagnosed with a Dysthymic Disorder. Each diagnostic group was composed of 50 men and 50 women who did not have a comorbid depressive disorder. The mean Beck Depression Inventory-II total score and the mean number of symptoms endorsed by the outpatients with a Major Depressive Disorder were significantly (ps<.001) higher than those for outpatients with a Dysthymic Disorder. The usefulness of the Beck Depression Inventory-II was discussed in helping clinicians discriminate between these two unipolar disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford 08084-1391, USA.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Steer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires