Assessment of Cognitive-Behavioral Skills and Depression Among Female Prison Inmates

This study examined assessment of differences in self-reported cognitive-behavioral skills among 64 female prison inmates reporting either high or low levels of depressive symptomatology. This population was chosen for its exposure to negative life events inherent to a prison environment. Sixty-six percent of the sample could be classified as at least mildly depressed on the basis of Beck Depression Inventory scores. MANOVA results showed that participants with high depressive symptomatology had significantly higher mean scores on measures of aggression and dysfunctional attitudes, as well as significantly lower mean scores on measures of assertion and self-reinforcement. Results were interpreted in favor of a multivariate approach to assessment of depression and other responses to negative life circumstances.