Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Therapist Development Center Practice Exam

When assessing an SSRIs effect on depression, what is the dependent variable?

1. A. Type of SSRI

2. B. Dosage of the SSRI

3. C. Levels of Depression

4. D. Beck Depression Inventory

The correct answer is: C. Levels of Depression

In the context of assessing the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on depression, the dependent variable represents the outcome that researchers are interested in measuring. In this case, it is the levels of depression experienced by the patients. This is what changes in response to the independent variables, such as the type and dosage of the SSRI being administered. As the SSRIs are varied in type or dosage, the researcher looks to see how these changes affect the patients' depression levels. The Beck Depression Inventory is a specific tool used for measuring levels of depression but does not itself represent the outcome of interest; instead, it is a means through which the dependent variable (levels of depression) can be quantified. Thus, identifying "levels of depression" as the dependent variable accurately captures the primary goal of the assessment: understanding how effective the SSRIs are in reducing depressive symptoms in the studied population.