Validation of the Malay Self-Report Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology in a Malaysian Sample.

Depression is ranked as the second-leading cause for years lived with disability worldwide. Objective monitoring with a standardized scale for depressive symptoms can improve treatment outcomes. This study evaluates the construct and concurrent validity of the Malay Self-Report Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR16) among Malaysian clinical and community samples. This cross-sectional study was based on 277 participants, i.e., patients with current major depressive episode (MDE), n = 104, and participants without current MDE, n = 173. Participants answered the Malay QIDS-SR16 and were administered the validated Malay Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for DSM-IV-TR. Factor analysis was used to determine construct validity, alpha statistic for internal consistency, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for concurrent validity with MINI to determine the optimal threshold to identify MDE. Data analysis provided evidence for the unidimensionality of the Malay QIDS-SR16 with good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.88). Based on ROC analysis, the questionnaire demonstrated good validity with a robust area under the curve of 0.916 (p < 0.000, 95% CI 0.884−0.948). A cut-off score of nine provided the best balance between sensitivity (88.5%) and specificity (83.2%). The Malay QIDS-SR16 is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying MDE in unipolar or bipolar depression.

Innovative psychological first aid (PFA) in the new normal for frontliners.

PURPOSE: Psychological first aid (PFA) is utilized in the direct aftermath of crisis events. As the world grappled with Covid-19, PFA was provided for staff members in Hospital Sultan Ismail. In adherence to the New Normal, innovative approaches had to be taken. We engaged clients through virtual communication methods. PFA Solat was organized to assist Muslim staff fulfil religious obligations while being on the frontlines. CONCLUSIONS: PFA may be useful in helping frontline staff manage stress associated with the increased workload and general anxiety relating to the pandemic. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is recommended all staff members, especially those involved in frontline duty, to be provided PFA.

Caregiver depression: The contributing role of depression in patients, stigma, social support and religiosity.

BACKGROUND: Depression has been well studied as part of caregiver burden among patients with severe mental illnesses. Curiously, though, there has been little data in terms of caregiver burden with specific focus on depression among caregivers of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). AIM: This study aims to determine the rate of depression among caregivers of person with depression and its psychosocial correlates, which include stigma, perceived social support, religious commitment and the severity of the patient's symptoms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 165 patients diagnosed with MDD using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) together with their caregivers. Apart from gathering social demographic data, patients were administered the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Rated Version (QIDS-SR 16), whereas the caregivers were required to answer Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) and Depression Stigma Scale (DSS). Those who scored ⩾5 on PHQ-9 were further assessed with interviewer-rated M.I.N.I. to diagnose the presence of depression. RESULTS: A total of 47 (28.5%) caregivers were found to have depressive symptoms. Out of that total, 13 (7.9%) were diagnosed to have MDD using M.I.N.I. From univariate analysis, factors associated with depression in caregivers were the severity of symptoms in patients ( p < .001), personal stigma in caregivers ( p = .037), the patients' current depressive episode ( p = .026) and lower perceived social support from friends ( p = .048). From multivariate analysis, only the patients' severity of depressive symptoms ( p < .001) and personal stigma in caregivers ( p = .048) were significantly associated with the caregivers' depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that the severity of patient depression and personal stigma of the caregivers were significant factors correlated with caregiver depression. Therefore, beyond optimizing the treatment of depression in patients, the issue of stigma among caregivers also needs to be addressed as a potential target of intervention.