Beck Depression Inventory Change Research Articles

Depressed Caregivers

ABSTRACT A pooled sample of 52 female caregivers (ages 34-78) meeting Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was used to compare response to brief individual versus group interventions for depression. Caregivers participating in individual psychotherapy (n = 28) and caregivers participating in cognitive-behavioral groups (n = 24) were compared on changes in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores and RDC diagnosis, 10 weeks into each intervention. While there were no differences between the interventions in BDI scores at 10 weeks, there was greater improvement in RDC diagnosis among the caregivers participating in the cognitive-behavioral groups. The authors suggest that the field is now ready for randomized clinical trials to address this question.