Validity of the MMPI-2 Depression content scale with psychiatric inpatients

Psychol Rep. 1994 Feb;74(1):159-62. doi: 10.2466/pr0.1994.74.1.159.

Abstract

The concurrent and construct validity of the MMPI-2 Depression content scale was examined for a group of 62 psychiatric inpatients. Correlation coefficients with other measures of depression, hopelessness, low self-esteem, and suicide ideation ranged from .58 to .66 and were statistically significant. Also, the Depression content scale successfully differentiated patients according to psychiatric diagnosis (depressed versus nondepressed) and assessed suicide risk (at risk versus not at risk). Thus, the concurrent and construct validities of the scale were supported.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder / classification
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • MMPI / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / classification
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Probability
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Suicide / psychology
  • Suicide Prevention