AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY USING COMPUTERIZED SPEECH RECOGNITION FOR SCREENING DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

This exploratory study tested a computrized speech recognition applica tion for screening depressive symptoms. A ''talking'' prototype admini stered the Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression (CES-D) sca le. The study compared computerized and written forms of the CES-D wit h an adult population. A counterbalanced design controlled for order o f administration between the two methods. A sample of 68 participants completed both forms of the CES-D and a computer anxiety scale. The re sults suggested that there were no significant differences between the means and variances of the two CES-D methods. Equivalent forms reliab ility and internal consistency estimates of the two CES-D forms were v ery high. Correlations between the two CES-D methods and a computer an xiety scale did not differ significantly. The preference rates of the two CES-D methods were not significantly different.