A CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN BRITISH AND TURKISH CLINICAL-SAMPLES

A cross-cultural comparison of the symptomatology of depression in Bri tain and Turkey was conducted in outpatient samples selected according to the same criteria, and matched for age, sex and severity; the same standardized rating instruments were also used with each sample. Comp arison of the frequency and severity of individual symptoms showed hig her mean ratings in the British sample for core depressive symptoms an d higher ratings in the Turkish sample for symptoms reflecting somatiz ation and a tendency to emphasize symptoms. Principal component analys is produced similar dimensions, confirmed after factor rotation, but t he principal components emerged in a different order, reflecting diffe ring contributions to the variance. In the Turkish sample, the first, general component, accounting for the greatest variance, was the somat ization factor, while in the British sample it was the component that reflects core depressive symptoms. These findings indicate that there are some similarities in the symptoms of depression in the two culture s, but also differences in their predominant mode of expression.