Comparison of Estimates for Lifetime Depression Using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

• Activity Number: 355
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 5, 2014 : 11:35 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Kimberly Ault*+ and Greta Kilmer
• Companies: RTI International and RTI International
• Keywords: survey methodology ; survey mode ; questionnaire design ; lifetime depression ; SUDAAN

Abstract

In 2011, both the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) measured lifetime history of diagnosed depression among adults 18 or older. The NSDUH, an annual survey of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older, is a major source of substance use and mental illness data. The BRFSS is an annual state-based telephone survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized adult population aged 18 or older and collects data on health risk behaviors. This paper compares estimates from these two sources and explores how survey methodology influenced the measures. Differences in data collection features including questionnaire and sample design were examined as potential sources of differences in estimates. Based on the review of the survey methods, the lifetime depression estimates were deemed comparable and estimates were computed.