The Factor Structure of the Korean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(K-HDRS): A Confirmatory Factor Analysis / 신경정신의학

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to examine the factor structure of a Korean version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (K-HDRS), and we did so by performing a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). METHODS: The data from the 17-item K-HDRS data was obtained from 319 South Koreans who met the DSM-IV Criteria of Major Depressive Disorder. We examined the fit of ten competing models. The CFAs were evaluated in their original first-order structures and in their hierarchically related counterparts. RESULTS: The alternative models obtained unsatisfactory fit indices, although the five-factor intercorrelated model (model 5a) demonstrated a relatively good fit to the data. The model 5a also performed better than its hierarchically related counterpart (model 5b). The Modification Indices (MIs) were used to provide a more satisfactory account of the data. The MIs suggested correlations between the unique variances of items (item 1 & 3, item 10 & 15), and these parameters were added to the model 5a. After introducing minor modifications, the 'final' model (5m) yielded an improved model fit. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the symptoms of depression, as assessed by the K-HDRS, cluster into five factors anhedonia/retardation, guilt/agitation, bodily symptoms, insomnia and appetite. This study provides evidence for the cross-cultural generalizability of the HDRS, although some refinement of the scale is still required.