| A depression questionnaire is the same thing as a | | | | or "c", or "true" or "false". |
| depression test or depression quiz. For any | | | | A question that is commonly asked is whether the |
| psychological test to be reliable it needs to meet the | | | | results from a depression test are used to diagnose |
| Standards for Education and Psychological Testing. | | | | depression. The answer? In part, yes, the depression |
| These standards are developed by three (3) different | | | | questionnaire is used as one reference point to |
| groups that include the American Psychological | | | | determine if a client is depressed or not. However, it is |
| Association (APA), American Educational Research | | | | important to note that there are many other factors |
| Association (AERA) and the National Council on | | | | that we look at to make a diagnosis. To diagnose |
| Measurement in Education (NCME). What does it | | | | depression we need to do a full evaluation by looking |
| mean when a test meets the Standards? It means | | | | at a variety of factors. |
| that they are "valid", "reliable" and "scored and | | | | Symptomotology is one of the components that are |
| administered" using standardized methods. | | | | considered. For instance, what symptoms does the |
| Validity basically means that the test measures what it | | | | client have? How long have they been present? How |
| is supposed to measure. Also, it means that the | | | | severe are the symptoms? Has the client experienced |
| concept for which the test was developed, and the | | | | these symptoms before? How are they currently |
| measurements put in place, are well founded and | | | | functioning emotionally and cognitively? Have they |
| supported by evidence that justifies the interpretation | | | | recently experienced any traumatic events? Also, is |
| of the scores. | | | | the client currently using drugs or alcohol? If so, how |
| Reliability means that the results of the test will be | | | | often do they use? |
| consistent. For example, each time a test is | | | | The mental health history of the client is considered as |
| administered to any one individual the results should be | | | | well - have they been diagnosed with depression |
| almost the same. Assuming that the structure and | | | | before? What about the family history? Has any of |
| quality of the test is consistent, when the test is given | | | | the client's family members been diagnosed with |
| at two different points in time, it will yield similar results. | | | | depression? |
| While often confused, validity and reliability are not the | | | | It is also important to rule out any other medical |
| same. Validity ensures that the test measures what it | | | | conditions that might cause or contribute to the |
| has been designed to measure. Conversely, reliability | | | | depressed feelings. Is the client suffering with another |
| means that the results that are measured are | | | | condition such as Lyme's disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, |
| consistent. So, unfortunately, you can have consistency | | | | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a hypothyroid condition, and |
| in a test without validity - a test that provides | | | | any nutritional deficiencies? All of these things, and |
| consistent results but is not measuring what is | | | | many others, need to be carefully considered before |
| designed to be measuring. This is why both validity and | | | | making a formal depression diagnosis. |
| reliability are so important. | | | | A depression questionnaire and depression tests are |
| The tests must also be scored and administered | | | | available on-line. However, if want reliable results it is |
| employing a standard methodology. Research has | | | | important to take one that is professionally developed |
| determined that, if a test is scored and administered in | | | | (ie. not by a Webmaster!). This will ensure that the |
| a standard way, the results are more effective and | | | | depression test meets the Standards for Education |
| predictable than if they use a non-standard format. | | | | and Psychological Testing. What this ultimately means |
| A depression questionnaire or depression test is | | | | is that it will be valid - testing for signs of depression |
| basically a mood measuring device that gives an | | | | like it is supposed to, and that the results you get will |
| indication of emotional and cognitive functioning. | | | | be reliable and statistically relevant. |
| Depression tests are developed and designed to | | | | It would be horrible to take a depression questionnaire |
| evaluate an individual's mood, characteristics, affect | | | | that generates incorrect results. It can tell you that |
| and demeanor. Most are also used to track behavior | | | | you're depressed when you really aren't or tell you that |
| changes over a specific period of time. In most cases, | | | | you aren't depressed when you really are. In either |
| the tests are self administered and they ask you to | | | | case, you will be misled and will not proceed in a |
| evaluate your mood or characteristic over the last two | | | | matter that would be in your best interest. If you take |
| weeks or more. Also depression tests that are self | | | | a depression test that meets the aforementioned |
| administered usually have pre-defined optional | | | | criterion, you can rely on the results and determine the |
| responses so there are not free form answers. For | | | | best course of action. |
| example, a test will have the individual choose "a", "b", | | | | |