Abstract

Hopelessness, Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and Clinical Diagnosis of Depression

Beck A T~~Steer R A~~et al

Year: 1993 Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, v.23, no.2, (Summer 1993), p.139-145 SIEC No: 19930393

The relevance of a clinical diagnosis of depression for explaining the discrepant relationships of hopelessness & depression with suicidal ideation was studied. The Beck Depression Inventory, Hopelessness Scale, & the Scale for Suicide Ideation were administered to 1,306 patients with at least 1 DSM-III-R mood disorder & 488 patients without any mood disorders. Hopelessness was 1.3 times more important than depression was for explaining suicidal ideation. (25 refs.)