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Time and gender measurement invariance in the modified Calderon depression scale.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Assessing change and comparing groups requires high quality and invariant scales. However, there is limited evidence of simultaneous longitudinal and gender measurement invariance for depression scales. This evidence is even more scant with long-established panel studies from low and middle-income countries.

Methods

In this paper, we used three waves (years 2002, 2005, and 2009) of a nationally representative panel study to examine the psychometric properties of the modified Calderon Depression Scale (CAL-DM)-a one-item exclusion of a depression scale designed for a population residing in a middle-income country (i.e., Mexico). Our analytical sample included 16,868 participants: 7,696 men and 9,172 women. Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), we first examined overall fit in each wave, and then we tested time, gender, and time-gender measurement invariance across three waves. We also estimated and compared depression score means by gender and time. Finally, we examined the association between depression scores and self-rated health.

Results

Our analyses indicated the CAL-DM is a robust scale, suitable for time, gender, and time by gender comparisons. Mean comparisons exemplified how the scale can be used as a latent variable or a summative score. Women have higher depression scores than men and the gap is narrowing from 3.4 in 2002 to 2.5 in 2009.

Conclusions

The CAL-DM is a reliable instrument to measure depression in the Mexican general population that can be used for epidemiological research. Our results will contribute to a burgeoning line of research that examines the social determinants of depression, and the risk factors associated with different individuals' depression trajectories over the life course.

SUBMITTER: Arenas E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9233789 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:The revised version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) is one of the most frequently applied questionnaires not only in adults, but also in adolescents. To date, attempts to identify a replicable factor structure of the BDI-II have mainly been undertaken in adult populations. Moreover, most of the studies which included minors and were split by gender lacked confirmatory factor analyses and were generally conducted in healthy adolescents. The present study therefore aimed to determine the goodness of fit of various factor models proposed in the literature in an adolescent clinical sample, to evaluate alternative solutions for the factor structure and to explore potential gender differences in factor loadings. The focus was on testing bifactor models and subsequently on calculating bifactor statistical indices to help clarify whether a uni- or a multidimensional construct is more appropriate, and on testing the best-fitting factor model for measurement invariance according to gender. The sample comprised 835 adolescent girls and boys aged 13-18 years in out- and inpatient setting. Several factor models proposed in the literature provided a good fit when applied to the adolescent clinical sample, and differences in goodness of fit were small. Exploratory factor analyses were used to develop and test a bifactor model that consisted of a general factor and two specific factors, termed cognitive and somatic. The bifactor model confirmed the existence of a strong general factor on which all items load, and the bifactor statistical indices suggest that the BDI-II should be seen as a unidimensional scale. Concerning measurement invariance across gender, there were differences in loadings on item 21 (Loss of interest in sex) on the general factor and on items 1 (Sadness), 4 (Loss of pleasure), and 9 (Suicidal Thoughts) on the specific factors. Thus, partial measurement invariance can be assumed and differences are negligible. It can be concluded that the total score of the BDI-II can be used to measure depression severity in adolescent clinical samples.