TY - JOUR
T1 - Screening for Depression and Psychological Distress in a Currently Serving Military Population
T2 - Assessment
AU - Searle, Amelia K.
AU - Van Hooff, Miranda
AU - McFarlane, Alexander C.
AU - Davies, Christopher E.
AU - Tran, Thao
AU - Hodson, Stephanie E.
AU - Benassi, Helen P.
AU - Steele, Nicole M.
PY - 2019/12/1
Y1 - 2019/12/1
N2 - This study is the first to examine the diagnostic accuracy of two depression screening scales—the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)—in an entire regular-serving military population. Currently serving Australian Defence Force personnel (n = 24,481) completed the K10 and PHQ9. Then a targeted subsample (i.e., the analysis sample, n = 1,730) completed a diagnostic interview to identify DSM-IV 30-day disorder. Weighted results represented the entire population (N = 50,049). Both scales similarly showed a good ability to discriminate between personnel with and without depressive disorders. Optimal cutoffs (19 for K10, 6 for PHQ9) showed high sensitivity and good specificity, and were similar to though slightly lower than those recommended in civilian populations. Both scales appear to be valid screens for depressive disorder in the military, using the cutoffs identified. As both performed similarly, scale choice may depend on other factors (e.g., availability of norms).
AB - This study is the first to examine the diagnostic accuracy of two depression screening scales—the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)—in an entire regular-serving military population. Currently serving Australian Defence Force personnel (n = 24,481) completed the K10 and PHQ9. Then a targeted subsample (i.e., the analysis sample, n = 1,730) completed a diagnostic interview to identify DSM-IV 30-day disorder. Weighted results represented the entire population (N = 50,049). Both scales similarly showed a good ability to discriminate between personnel with and without depressive disorders. Optimal cutoffs (19 for K10, 6 for PHQ9) showed high sensitivity and good specificity, and were similar to though slightly lower than those recommended in civilian populations. Both scales appear to be valid screens for depressive disorder in the military, using the cutoffs identified. As both performed similarly, scale choice may depend on other factors (e.g., availability of norms).
KW - K10
KW - PHQ9
KW - diagnostic accuracy
KW - military
KW - sensitivity and specificity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85041556318&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1073191117745124
DO - 10.1177/1073191117745124
M3 - Article
VL - 26
SP - 1411
EP - 1426
JO - Assessment
JF - Assessment
SN - 1073-1911
IS - 8
ER -