The latent symptom structure of the Beck Depression Inventory–II in outpatients with major depression.

The Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI–II) is a self-report instrument frequently used in clinical and research settings to assess depression severity. Although investigators have examined the factor structure of the BDI–II, a clear consensus on the best fitting model has not yet emerged, resulting in different recommendations regarding how to best score and interpret BDI–II results. In the current investigation, confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate previously identified models of the latent symptom structure of depression as assessed by the BDI–II. In contrast to previous investigations, we utilized a reliably diagnosed, homogenous clinical sample, composed only of patients with major depressive disorder (N = 425)—the population for whom this measure of depression severity was originally designed. Two 3-factor models provided a good fit to the data and were further evaluated by means of factor associations with an external, interviewer-rated measure of depression severity. The results contribute to a growing body of evidence for the Ward (2006) model, including a General (G) depression factor, a Somatic (S) factor, and a Cognitive (C) factor. The results also support the use of the BDI–II total scale score. Research settings may wish to model minor factors to remove variance extraneous to depression where possible. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anxiety and depression of mothers of children undergoing bone marrow transplant: Symptom prevalence and use of the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Inventories as screening instruments.

This study examined anxiety and depressive symptoms among 115 mothers of children undergoing bone marrow transplant and evaluated the ability of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; A. T. Beck, N. Epstein, et al., 1988) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; A. T. Beck, 1978) to serve as screening tools for assessing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Mothers with BAI or BDI scores greater than or equal to 14 were administered a structured clinical interview. An additional 20% was randomly selected for interview to determine whether the scale cutoff was an accurate screening method. Among the 64 mothers interviewed, 20% received at least 1 of the 3 diagnoses. Although the BAI did not demonstrate predictive accuracy in assessing GAD and PD, the BDI did in assessing MDD. The results suggest that a subset of mothers may have an anxiety or depressive disorder and that investigators should use caution before using the BAI as a screening instrument for anxiety disorder. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A psychometric comparison of the Beck Depression Inventory-II in English and Spanish.

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; A. T. Beck, R. A. Steer, & G. K. Brown, 1996) is a widely used measure of depressive symptomatology originally authored in English and then translated to Spanish. However, there are very limited data available on the Spanish translation. This study compared the psychometric characteristics of the BDI-II in Spanish and English in a sample of 895 college students. The instrument was administered twice with a 1-week interval, either in the same language on both occasions or in a different language on each occasion. Results show strong internal consistency and good test-retest reliability in both languages. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the published English-language factor structure showed good fit with data from the Spanish instrument. Among bilingual participants who took the BDI-II in both languages, there was no significant language effect. These data provide initial evidence of comparable reliability and validity between the English and Spanish BDI-II in a nonclinical sample. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinguished scientific award for the applications of psychology: Aaron T. Beck.

The Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Psychology is presented to a person who, in the opinion of the Committee on Scientific Awards, has made distinguished theoretical or empirical advances leading to the understanding or amelioration of important practical problems. In accordance with established custom, the award winner will be invited to present an address on some phase of his or her scientific work at the 1990 APA Convention. The winner for 1989 is Aaron T. Beck. He received this award "for advancing our understanding and treatment of psychopathology." His pioneering work on depression has profoundly altered the way this disorder is conceptualized, assessed, diagnosed, and treated. Beck's citation, biography, and selected bibliography are presented here. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

采用非线性估算法对铸造界面传热系数的研究

以试验中测得的铸件和铸型接触界面上的不同位置的温度为前提,利用有限元分析软件ANSYS模拟了铸造凝固过程的温度场,分析了在考虑热阻和不考虑热阻的情况下,计算结果对数值模拟准确性的影响;采用Beck非线性估算法求解了铸件和铸型间的界面传热系数,发现了金属铸造界面传热系数随时间的变化规律,以及铸型厚度对界面传热系数的影响.     

Reliability and Validity of the Beck Depression Inventory--II With Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients.

This investigation was conducted to validate the Beck Depression Inventory--II (BDI-II; A. T. Beck, R. A. Steer, & G. K. Brown, 1996) in samples of adolescent psychiatric inpatients. The sample in each substudy was primarily Caucasian. In Study 1, expert raters (N=7) and adolescent psychiatric inpatients (N=13) evaluated the BDI-II items to assess content validity. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analyses of several first-order solutions failed to provide adequate fit estimates to data for 205 boys, 203 girls, and the combined sample. Exploratory factor analyses identified new item-factor solutions. Reliability estimates were good (range = .72 to .91) for the BDI-II total and scale scores. In Study 3 (N=161 boys and 158 girls from Study 2), preliminary evidence for estimates of concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity were established for the BDI-II. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

轧制ZK61镁合金板材晶粒长大行为

通过对热轧的ZK61镁合金板材试样分别进行不同温度和不同保温时间的退火实验,利用金相显微镜(OM)观察显微组织,对晶粒尺寸进行分析和处理,并建立数学模型,系统研究了轧制ZK61镁合金的晶粒长大行为。研究结果表明,晶粒尺寸随着退火温度的升高与退火时间的延长而粗化,退火温度对晶粒长大的影响比退火时间的影响明显。对于ZK61镁合金在250~450℃温度区间的晶粒长大过程,其晶粒尺寸与加热时间的关系可用Beck方程D~n-D_0~n=kt描述,其中k=k_0exp[-Q_g/(RT)]。计算可得晶粒长大指数n为3.5,长大激活能Qg为45kJ/mol。     

The dimensionality of the Beck Depression Inventory--II and its relevance for tailoring the psychological treatment of women with depression.

A dimensionality study of the Beck Depression Inventory--II (BDI--II) employing factor analytic and principal component statistical methods was undertaken with a sample of 390 women (aged 18-90 yrs) diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The results, which replicated R. A. Steer et al. (1999), indicate that the BDI--II can be decomposed into 2 subscales: Loss and Impairment (comprised of primarily somatic-affective symptomatology), and Negative Theory Self and Social Environment (comprised of primarily cognitive symptomatology). Given the evidence for these 2 subscales, it is argued that the interpretation of the total score may obscure important differences between the corresponding 2 symptomatic dimensions of depression. For example, 2 individuals with the same total score may differ in terms of the relative severity and frequency of somatic-affective vs cognitive symptomatology. Therefore, it is concluded that utilizing only the BDI--II's total score may hinder a therapist's attempts to intervene in a way most consistent with the individual's unique presentation of depressive symptomatology. How the subscales might be used to tailor the psychological treatment of women diagnosed with major depressive disorder and how they might be used in future research is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Screening for depression in chronic hemodialysis patients: comparison of the Beck Depression Inventory, primary nurse, and nephrology team

Depression in patients with end-state renal disease (ESRD) is both underdiagnosed and treated, which may contribute to an increase in morbidity and mortality. Efforts aimed at screening, diagnosing, and treating depression could potentially modify outcomes in this population. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of depression, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the primary nurse, and nephrology team, among a cohort of patients receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD). A secondary objective was to identify patient variables associated with depression. Patients were screened for depression at the same time point, using the BDI-II, the primary nurse and the nephrology team. Depression was defined as a BDI-II score > or =14. Agreement between the BDI-II score, nurse, and nephrology team assessment of depression was compared using a kappa score and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated. One hundred and twenty-four of an eligible 154 patients completed the study. Depression as measured by a BDI-II> or =14, the nurse and the team was diagnosed in 38.7%, 41.9%, and 24.2% of patients, respectively. With the BDI-II as the gold standard, the nurses' diagnosis of depression had an agreement of 74.6% vs. only 24.2% agreement with the nephrology team. A previous history of malignancy was the only variable associated with the diagnosis of depression. Depression is common among patients on HD, supporting the need for a routine depression-screening program. The primary dialysis nurse is in a key position to identify patients with depression and should be considered as an integral part of the nephrology team.     

Looking Beyond Informality

It is all too easy to be optimistic about the economic and social future of Latin America. Daniela Fabricius , the author of 100% Favela: The Informal Geographies of Rio de Janeiro (forthcoming), calls into question architects working within the realpolitik of a globalised, post-nationalist world. Could an all too ready acceptance of existing conditions and the adoption of informality leave inhabitants short-changed? For to live informally is also to live precariously - no substitute for secure and prosperous living.