Usage: Please cite: Griffiths, K., Christensen, H., Jorm, A., Evans, K., & Groves, C. (2004). Effect of web-based depression literacy and cognitive–behavioural therapy interventions on stigmatising attitudes to depression: Randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 185(4), 342-349. doi:10.1192/bjp.185.4.342

The Depression Literacy Questionnaire assesses mental health literacy specific to depression. The questionnaire consists of 22 items which are true or false. Respondents can answer each item with one of three options – true, false or don’t know. Each correct response receives one point. Higher scores indicate higher mental health literacy of depression.

Depression Literacy Questionnaire items

• People with depression often speak in a rambling and disjointed way. (False)
• People with depression may feel guilty when they are not at fault. (True)
• Reckless and foolhardy behaviour is a common sign of depression. (False)
• Loss of confidence and poor self-esteem may be a symptom of depression. (True)
• Not stepping on cracks in the footpath may be a sign of depression. (False)
• People with depression often hear voices that are not there. (False)
• Sleeping too much or too little may be a sign of depression. (True)
• Eating too much or losing interest in food may be a sign of depression. (True)
• Depression does not affect your memory and concentration. (False)
• Having several distinct personalities may be a sign of depression. (False)
• People may move more slowly or become agitated as a result of their depression. (True)
• Clinical psychologists can prescribe antidepressants. (False)
• Moderate depression disrupts a person’s life as much as multiple sclerosis or deafness. (True)
• Most people with depression need to be hospitalised. (False)
• Many famous people have suffered from depression. (True)
• Many treatments for depression are more effective than antidepressants. (False)
• Counselling is as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy for depression. (False)
• Cognitive behavioural therapy is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. (True)
• Of all the alternative and lifestyle treatments for depression, vitamins are likely to be the most helpful. (False)
• People with depression should stop taking antidepressants as soon as they feel better. (False)
• Antidepressants are addictive. (False)
• Antidepressant medications usually work straight away. (False)

Norms and psychometric properties

Internal consistency

α = .70 (n = 40)

Test-retest reliability

r = .71, p = .02 (n = 12)

Based on a sample of elite athletes.

Key references

Griffiths, K.M., Christensen, H., Jorm, A.F., Evans, K., & Groves, C. (2004) Effect of web-based depression literacy and cognitive-behavioural therapy interventions on stigmatising attitudes to depression: Randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 185: 342-349.

Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K.M., Christensen, H., MacKinnon, A., Calear, A.L., Parsons, A., Bennet, K., Batterham, P.J., Stanimirovic, R. (2012) Internet-Based Interventions to Promote Mental Health Help-Seeking in Elite Athletes: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14: 69.