The use of the beck depression inventory with adolescents

Despite numerous theoretical and anecdotal reports of depression in adolescence, and the potential destructiveness of this disorder in this age group, little empirical work has been done. This study presents data on administration of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to an adolescent sample (N= 568). Factor analysis and interitem and itemscale correlations of the BDI suggested that this questionnaire can be used with this population. The mean BDI score for the sample was slightly higher than that obtained in general population studies of younger children or adults. However, only 5% reported depression sufficiently high to be classified as severe, a figure similar to that of younger children but somewhat lower than that for adults. No significant differences across age were obtained, although significantly more females than males reported high depression scores.This article is based upon a doctoral dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology at the University of Vermont. The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the members of her committee and those of her advisor, Harold Leitenberg, Ph.D.