Beck Depression Inventory-II
A 21-item self-report questionnaire on the severity of the patient's depressive symptoms.
- Category
- Depression
- Items
- 21
- Recall period
- Past two weeks
On this page
Licensed scale
This scale is under licence, so its items cannot be shown here. The information on this page describes it; contact the rights holder to obtain the instrument.
Alternatives you can administer here
Introduction
The BDI-II is one of the best-known questionnaires for depression severity. The patient rates 21 groups of statements on emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms of depression.
What it measures
The BDI-II measures the severity of depressive symptoms in people aged 13 to 80, including physical and cognitive symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
When to use it
Clinicians whose service holds a licence use the BDI-II for a detailed picture of depression severity, for example at intake and to track change.
Origin
The BDI-II was published in 1996 by Aaron T. Beck, Robert A. Steer and Gregory K. Brown as a revision of the original Beck Depression Inventory. The German version was published by Martin Hautzinger, Ferdinand Keller and Christine Kühner (2006).
Validation
Reliability and validity of the German version were examined in German samples (Kühner et al., 2007).
Limitations
The BDI-II is not a diagnostic instrument. It is sold by Pearson, and purchasers must show professional qualifications. Its items may not be reproduced without a licence.
Frequently asked questions
- Why can't the BDI-II be completed here?
- The BDI-II is a commercial instrument sold by Pearson, and its items may not be reproduced without a licence. The PHQ-9, which also measures depression severity, can be completed here.
References
- Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown GK. Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation; 1996.
- Hautzinger M, Keller F, Kühner C. Beck Depressions-Inventar (BDI-II). Frankfurt: Harcourt Test Services; 2006.
- Kühner C, Bürger C, Keller F, Hautzinger M. Reliabilität und Validität des revidierten Beck-Depressionsinventars (BDI-II). Befunde aus deutschsprachigen Stichproben. Nervenarzt. 2007;78:651-656.
Licence & attribution
© Pearson.
Must be purchased from Pearson; qualification required. Items may not be reproduced without a licence.