Studies on the Measurement of Unpleasant Events and Relations with Depression

Abstract

The goal was to construct a psychometrically sound instrument for the measurement of aversive events. Hypotheses about the occurrence of aversive events and depression were also tested. The Un pleasant Events Schedule (UES) consists of 320 events generated by an extensive search of events experienced as distressing by many people. Each event was rated for frequency of occurrence (3-point scale) during the past month and for subjective aversiveness (3-point scale). The events were cate gorized into seven rational scales (Health and Wel fare, Achievement-Academic-Job, Domestic Incon veniences, Sex-Marital-Friendship, Material- Financial, and Social Exits). The UES was tested on a group (N=202) about equally divided between depressed patients and two non-depressed control groups. The depressed patients were selected using the MMPI and a clinical interview. A normal MMPI control group was selected on the basis of MMPI scores in the normal range and no history of depression. A second control group (High-MMPI Controls) was selected on the basis of elevations on clinical MMPI scales other than depression and no history of depression. The UES was found to have very high internal consistency and adequate test-re- test repeatability. Construct validity was investi gated with comparisons between depressed and non-depressed groups and by the covariation be tween changes in the rate of occurrence of aversive events and changes in depression level. The UES should prove useful in future research on quantita tive relationships between stressful life events and psychopathology.