Rating Depression in Schizophrenia

Prior research has indicated an inconsistent agreement between self-report and observer report of depression in schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of agreement between a self-report measure of depression and a structured interview. Both outpatients (N = 100) and inpatients (N = 50) with schizophrenia were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory and a structured interview scale, the Calgary Depression Scale. Scores were convergent. However, a sizable proportion of inpatients had difficulty completing the self-report instrument. It is concluded that depressed affect can be assessed in schizophrenics by both self-report and structured interview, but the Beck Depression Inventory poses difficulties in use with inpatients.