Which psychological assessment tool is specifically tailored for measuring depression severity?

The Beck Depression Inventory is specifically designed to assess the severity of depression. This self-report inventory helps clinicians identify the intensity of depressive symptoms in individuals by asking them to indicate how they have felt in the past week regarding a range of depressive indicators. It includes various items that address common symptoms of depression, such as sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.

While both the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Beck Depression Inventory focus on measuring depression, the Beck Depression Inventory is particularly noted for its straightforward self-assessment format, making it accessible for patients to complete on their own. This tool is widely used in clinical and research settings to track changes in depression severity over time, enhancing its relevance for evaluations of treatment efficacy.

The other tools listed serve different purposes; for instance, the Beck Anxiety Inventory is specifically focused on assessing anxiety rather than depression. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory is a comprehensive psychological assessment that evaluates a wide range of personality traits and psychopathologies but is not specifically designed to measure the severity of depression. Therefore, the Beck Depression Inventory stands out as the appropriate choice for directly measuring depression severity.