URGENT--Due 5/10 by 10PM (EST) APA Format *Topic: Depression* (Advanced Test & Measures PhD Coursework)

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Written Assignment Grading Criteria Points Content Criteria (3 Points)

2.5

Content includes an explanation of the construct of interest and why it is important. Content includes an illustration of the range of tests/instruments used to measure the construct of interest. Content includes a summary of 5-7 tests/instruments with respect to reliability and validity, types of scores and scales provided, and strengths and weaknesses. Writing and Organization Criteria (2 Points)

1.8

Writing style is clear and concise. Tone is academic and appropriate for the content and assignment. Thesis statement is clearly articulated. Structure is logical, including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Flow is maintained by effective transitions. Rules of grammar, punctuation, and spelling are followed. Adherence to APA formatting requirements is evident. Research Criteria (2 Points)

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Sources are credible (preferably peer-reviewed), varied, relevant, and current (published within past five years); use of seminal work (e.g. Freud) is encouraged. Sources inform analysis, evaluation, problem-solving and decision-making.

Includes required number of professional/scholarly sources.

Addresses ethical considerations in research when appropriate. Information used is supported appropriately by references. Total Possible Points (7 points)

6.3 Points Obtained

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Test Development Proposal: Step One

Athenia L. Adams

The University of Arizona Global Campus

RES7402: Advanced Tests & Measurements (QAH114DS)

Dr. Malcom Whitehead

April 5, 2021

Commented [TW1]: Malcolm

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Test Development Proposal: Step One

Bushnell et al. 2019, describes depression disorder as disorder that affects an individual's

mood, usually making them has an unrelenting feeling of sadness and interest loss (p.908). The

condition leads to a variety of physical and emotional problems. The patients, therefore, experience

trouble doing day-to-day activities. Older adults and women are at a high risk of this condition.

Understanding the complexities 0f depression, diagnosis, and treatment has never been more

critical, whether developing a better understanding of depression to an individual’s personal life,

a team, and an organization that directly impacts communities. A better understanding of

depression is also fundamental in offering innovative leadership ideas on handling this condition.

This is especially very important because data illustrates that there are a lot of deaths that are

attributed to depression.

In this construct, various characteristics can be assessed, but I will be assessing the

symptoms of this condition in this case. Various characteristics are present to people suffering

from this condition. Some of the characteristics include feelings of sadness and interest loss,

suicidal tendencies, disturbed or lack of sleep, isolation, inactivity, low self-esteem, guilt,

disturbed eating patterns, and overwhelming feelings. Most of the available instruments assess

almost these entire characteristics, so it is essential to address them.

Tests and Instruments

Geriatric Depression Scale

The most widely used screening tools for depression among the elderly is the Geriatric

Depression Scale (GDS). It is significant because of its validity and reliability (Guerin et al.,

2018). GDS is a screening test that helps in the identification of depression symptoms in the aged

group. Patients answer questions in a yes/no format. The questions asked how a high connection

Commented [TW2]: Reference(s) needed

Commented [TW3]: of vs 0f should be and “o” and not a “zero”

Commented [TW4]: Reference needed(s)

Commented [TW5]: Clearly state what the construct of interest is.

Commented [TW6]: Make every effort to avoid the use of personal pronouns in professional styled writing.

Commented [TW7]: Reference needed(s)

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with depressive symptoms such as enjoyment level interest and social interaction, among others.

The patient needs to be evaluated further if they get a score of 5 or above. This tool's significant

advantage is it is easy and quick, taking less than 7 minutes to complete. However, its challenge

is that it has been observed that some people may extend the time further as they may want to

expound further regarding their issues. The assessor, therefore, has a duty of redirecting the

patient back to the question time and again. Similarly, some people are too much into a

depression that they find it difficult to answer the question, while others do not wish to answer

some personal questions.

PHQ9

One of the most valuable tests is depression screening, also known as PHQ9. This is a

criteria-based diagnosis of depressive disorder that is very reliable and valid in measuring the

symptoms of depression. The is nine-item tests that closely follow the components of depression

identified in APA guidelines. It assesses an individual’s sleeping pattern and other related

factors. “This is where a questionnaire with the question is used with a score that ranges from 0-

3” according to Levis et al., 2019. This is not a screening tool, but rather it is used to monitor the

severity of depression and how the patient responds to treatment. It is, however, used in

diagnosing depression in the population at risk, such in people with stroke or coronary diseases.

However, the major limitation is that PHQ-9 helps to screen but does not offer a diagnosis.

Hamilton Rating Scale (HRSD)

This is a tool that is used in quantifying the rigorousness of depression symptoms. It is

one of the most extensively used and acknowledged tools that assess depression, making it valid

and reliable. “The HRSD has demonstrated reliability, validity, and efficiency in older adults. It

contains 17 items, and it is rated on a 3- or 5-point scale with the sum of all the items summed to

Commented [TW8]: Make every effort to avoid the use of personal pronouns in professional styled writing.

Commented [TW9]: What are your research questions?

Commented [TW10]: Strengths?

Commented [TW11]: Make every effort to avoid the use of indefinite pronouns in professional styled writing. This comment will not be made again in the evaluation of this assignment.

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make up the total score” (Nixon et al, 2020, p.6). A patient can yield a score of 0-61, and clinical

cutoff scores range from 14-20. 17 is the most common score. This tool's primary limitation is

that it is administered by a clinician, making it vulnerable to loyalty effects and other related

factors, which means the questions can be influenced (Carrozzino et al., 2020).

DSM-5 Manual

DSM-5 is a manual that is used when assessing and diagnosing mental disorders. It is one

of the most valid and reliable tools for patients of all age groups. It helps to identify the nature of

illness by examining the symptoms that a patient is presenting. DSM-5 diagnoses help health

professionals in understanding their clients by directing their intercession from an evidence-

based standpoint. DSM-5 is organized into three sections. The first section gives an introduction

and information regarding organizational features of professional, expert review, texts, field

trials, and public. The other section comprises diagnostic criteria and codes. The last and the

third segments deal with measures of a glossary and conditions warranting more studies.

American Psychological Association Depression Guideline

The American Psychological Association (APA) created these guideline to provide

recommendations for the treatment of multiple depressive disorders. This guideline serves as

one of the accessible tools used in analyzing depression symptoms and treatment options. The

tool is, more focused on the depression treatment recommendations for all age groups. This

means that it covers the whole population. It reviews strategic steps from early psychiatric

management to treatment termination (Bushnell et al., 2020). The tool has various tables that

illustrate various aspects. This tool's primary limitation is that it does not focus much on the

diagnosis like the treatment; proper diagnosis is a crucial step for the success of any illness.

Commented [TW12]: Strengths?

Commented [TW13]: Since this is not a specific assessment that is used then do not include.

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References

Bushnell, D. M., McCarrier, K. P., Bush, E. N., Abraham, L., Jamieson, C., McDougall, F., Trivedi, M.

H., Thase, M. E., Carpenter, L., & Coons, S. J. (2019). Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

Scale: Performance of a Novel Patient-Reported Symptom Measure. Value in Health : The Journal

of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, 22(8), 906–915.

https://doi-org.proxy-library.ashford.edu/10.1016/j.jval.2019.02.010

Carrozzino, D., Patierno, C., Fava, G. A., & Guidi, J. (2020). The Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression:

a critical review of clinometric properties of different versions. Psychotherapy and

psychosomatics, 89(3), 133-150.

Guerin, J. M., Copersino, M. L., & Schretlen, D. J. (2018). Clinical utility of the 15-item geriatric

depression scale (GDS-5) for use with young and middle-aged adults. Journal of affective

disorders, 241, 59-62.

Levis, B., Benedetti, A., & Thombs, B. D. (2019). Accuracy of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

for screening to detect major depression: Individual participant data meta-analysis. BMJ: British

Medical Journal, 365.

Nixon, N., Guo, B., Garland, A., Kaylor-Hughes, C., Nixon, E., & Morriss, R. (2020). The bi-factor

structure of the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in persistent major depression;

dimensional measurement of outcome. PLoS ONE, 15(10), 1–13. https://doi-org.proxy-

library.ashford.edu/10.1371/journal.pone.0241370