Modifying the Beck Depression Inventory: A Rejoinder to Steer and Beck

Regarding our recent paper in this journal, Steer and Beck agree that it is inadvisable to use the short version of the Beck Depression Inventory as a substitute for the standard version. They take issue, however, with our recommendations for making the standard scale more compatible with DSM-III and Research Diagnostic Criteria. The present paper provides further clarification and justification for these proposed modifications.