Mean Beck Depression Inventory-II scores of outpatients with dysthymic or recurrent-episode major depressive disorders

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.