Depression Inventory

The same logic used in the previous example can be applied to multiple situations. Lets consider the accuracy of a psychological test. According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2019) approximately 7.1% of adults in the U.S. suffer from depression (by self-report, having had at least one major depressive episode during 2017).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) to aid in the diagnosis of depression. It was found by Bech, et al. (2001) to have about 90% accuracy in identifying cases of depression among adults.

Lab 5 Assignment - Case Study: Calculating the Accuracy of the MD Inventory

Use a computer program or an online Bayesian calculator to calculate the conditional probability of being clinically depressed given a positive test result. Report the results, including a copy or screenshot of the calculator or computer output.

There is a Bayes Theorem calculator free for use

1. Paste a screen shot of the output from the calculator

2. Give the probability of a false positive and interpret the outcome. Give the probability of a false negative and interpret the outcome. If you were a clinical psychologist would you be comfortable using only a positive result on a single administration of the inventory to confirm a diagnosis of depression? Why or why not?