Assigning Clinical Significance and Symptom Severity Using the Zung Scales: Levels of Misclassification Arising from Confusion between Index and Raw Scores
Joint Authors
Source
Depression Research and Treatment
Issue
Vol. 2018, Issue 2018 (31 Dec. 2018), pp.1-13, 13 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2018-01-21
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
13
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) are two norm-referenced scales commonly used to identify the presence of depression and anxiety in clinical research.
Unfortunately, several researchers have mistakenly applied index score criteria to raw scores when assigning clinical significance and symptom severity ratings.
This study examined the extent of this problem.
Method.
102 papers published over the six-year period from 2010 to 2015 were used to establish two convenience samples of 60 usages of each Zung scale.
Results.
In those papers where cut-off scores were used (i.e., 45/60 for SDS and 40/60 for SAS), up to 51% of SDS and 45% of SAS papers involved the incorrect application of index score criteria to raw scores.
Inconsistencies were also noted in the severity ranges and cut-off scores used.
Conclusions.
A large percentage of publications involving the Zung SDS and SAS scales are using incorrect criteria for the classification of clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The most common error—applying index score criteria to raw scores—produces a substantial elevation of the cut-off points for significance.
Given the continuing usage of these scales, it is important that these inconsistencies be highlighted and resolved.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Dunstan, Debra A.& Scott, Ned. 2018. Assigning Clinical Significance and Symptom Severity Using the Zung Scales: Levels of Misclassification Arising from Confusion between Index and Raw Scores. Depression Research and Treatment،Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1153999
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Dunstan, Debra A.& Scott, Ned. Assigning Clinical Significance and Symptom Severity Using the Zung Scales: Levels of Misclassification Arising from Confusion between Index and Raw Scores. Depression Research and Treatment No. 2018 (2018), pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1153999
American Medical Association (AMA)
Dunstan, Debra A.& Scott, Ned. Assigning Clinical Significance and Symptom Severity Using the Zung Scales: Levels of Misclassification Arising from Confusion between Index and Raw Scores. Depression Research and Treatment. 2018. Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1153999
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1153999