A Trial Production of Self-Rating Depression Scale (1)

Recently, the number of patients suffering from depression has increased to the point that we feel it necessary to prepare a better Self-Rating Depression Scale (SRDS). As the first step in creating a better SRDS, we analyzed three kinds of SRDS, Clinical Psychopharmacology Research Group Depression Rating-Scale, Beck's Depression Inventry and Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale, using factor analysis method. We then chose six factors, (melancholy, agitation, physical symptoms, inhibition of mental functions, suicidal tendency and feeling of guily) and created a new SRDS (named RS-1) composed of thirty items (five items for each factor). We used it at the out-patient clinic together with Hamilton's Rating Scale (HRS). The scores of RS-1 are lineally related to the scores of HRS (r=0.74). However, the variation among the total scores was too large to isolate patients suffering from depression. Furthermore, some subjects refused to check ten items (from No.21 to 30). Therefore, we realize that the selection and weighting of the items are inadequate in RS-1. Based on this study, we hope to make better Rating Scale.