RATING DEPRESSION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - A COMPARISON OF A SELF-REPORT AND AN OBSERVER REPORT SCALE

Prior research has indicated an inconsistent agreement between self-re port and observer report of depression in schizophrenia. The purpose o f this study was to assess the level of agreement between a self-repor t measure of depression and a structured interview. Both outpatients ( N = 100) and inpatients (N = 50) with schizophrenia were assessed usin g the Beck Depression Inventory and a structured interview scale, the Calgary Depression Scale. Scores were convergent. However, a sizable p roportion of inpatients had difficulty completing the self-report inst rument. It is concluded that depressed affect can be assessed in schiz ophrenics by both self-report and structured interview, but the Beck D epression Inventory poses difficulties in use with inpatients.