Scaling the helpfulness of antidepressive activities

This study examined the feasibility of obtaining quantitative estimates of the subjective helpfulness of antidepressive activities using an interval scale that had previously been found suitable for rating unpleasant qualities. The accuracy with which psychology students could predict the mean item ratings for their group was also investigated. Findings suggested that the scale is suitable for rating the positive quality of helpfulness and that on the whole students had an accurate idea of how helpful their peers would rate the activities; their idea appeared to be independent of how helpful they themselves found an activity. Some implications of the findings for cognitive dimensions of antidepressive behaviour, analogue research, and clinical practice are discussed.