Measurement of depression in a military sample

Using the responses of 250 Navy health care providers, we considered the sensitivity and specificity of the SCL-90-R Depression subscale and the Global Severity Index in predicting mild, moderate, and severe depression in a deployed military sample. Using the 90th percentile norms to identify caseness for both measures, each performs with 100% certainty in ascertaining severe depression and with less certainty in pinpointing a nonevent (specificity). Results are further considered by sex.