Applying the PTSD Checklist-Civilian and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 crosswalk in a traumatic brain injury sample: A veterans affairs traumatic brain injury model systems study.

This study evaluates the use of the crosswalk between the PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) designed by Moshier et al. (2019) in a sample of service members and veterans (SM/V; N = 298) who had sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and were receiving inpatient rehabilitation. The PCL-C and PCL-5 were completed at the same time. Predicted PCL-5 scores for the sample were obtained according to the crosswalk developed by Moshier et al. We used three measures of agreement: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), mean difference between predicted and observed scores, and Cohen's κ to determine the performance of the crosswalk in this sample. Subgroups relevant to those who have sustained a TBI, such as TBI severity, were also examined. There was strong agreement between the predicted and observed PCL-5 scores (ICC = .95). The overall mean difference between predicted and observed PCL-5 scores was 0.07 and not statistically significant (SD = 8.29, p = .89). Significant mean differences between predicted and observed PCL-5 scores calculated between subgroups were seen in Black participants (MD = -4.09, SD = 8.41, p = .01) and those in the Year 5 follow-up group (MD = 1.77, SD = 7.14, p = .03). Cohen's κ across subgroups had a mean of κ = 0.76 (.57-1.0), suggesting that there was moderate to almost perfect diagnostic agreement. Our results suggest the crosswalk created by Moshier et al. can be applied to SM/V who have suffered a TBI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Clinical reappraisal of the composite international diagnostic interview version 3.3 in Qatar's National Mental Health Study.

OBJECTIVES: Lifetime DSM-5 diagnoses generated by the lay-administered Composite International Diagnostic Interview for DSM-5 (CIDI) in the World Mental Health Qatar (WMHQ) study were compared to diagnoses based on blinded clinician-administered reappraisal interviews. METHODS: Telephone follow-up interviews used the non-patient edition of the Structured Clinician Interview for DSM-5 (SCID) oversampling respondents who screened positive for five diagnoses in the CIDI: major depressive episode, mania/hypomania, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Concordance was also examined for a diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder based on a short-form versus full version of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). RESULTS: Initial CIDI prevalence estimates differed significantly from the SCID for most diagnoses ( χ 1 2 ${\chi }_{1}^{2}$  = 6.6-31.4, p = 0.010 < 0.001), but recalibration reduced most of these differences and led to consistent increases in individual-level concordance (AU-ROC) from 0.53-0.76 to 0.67-0.81. Recalibration of the short-form PCL-5 removed an initially significant difference in PTSD prevalence with the full PCL-5 (from χ 1 2 ${\chi }_{1}^{2}$  = 610.5, p < 0.001 to χ 1 2 ${\chi }_{1}^{2}$  = 2.5, p = 0.110) while also increasing AU-ROC from 0.76 to 0.81. CONCLUSIONS: Recalibration resulted in valid diagnoses of common mental disorders in the Qatar National Mental Health Survey, but with inflated prevalence estimates for some disorders that need to be considered when interpreting results.

Reliability and validity of the short version of the childhood abuse self report scale in Chinese college students.

BACKGROUND: The reliability and validity of the current scale for measuring childhood abuse in China are worrying. The development of the Short Version of the Childhood Abuse Self Report Scale (CASRS-12) helps to change this situation, but the effectiveness of the tool has not yet been tested in Chinese participants. This study aims to test the reliability and validity of the CASRS­12 in Chinese college students. METHODS: A total of 932 college students were investigated, of whom 418 were investigated for the first time, and only the CASRS­12 was filled out. In the second survey, 514 participants filled out the CASRS­12, Depression Scale, Self-esteem Scale and Subjective Well-being Scale in turn. After 4 weeks, 109 participants were selected for retest. RESULTS: Each item of the CASRS­12 had good discrimination. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (χ2/df = 4. 18, RMSEA = 0. 079, CFI = 0. 95, TLI = 0. 94, IFI = 0. 95, NFI = 0. 94) all supported the four-factor structure of the scale, and the cumulative contribution rate of variance was 76.05%. Cronbach's α coefficient and retest reliability were 0.86 and 0.65, respectively. Childhood abuse was positively correlated with depression (r = 0. 42, p < 0.01), and negatively correlated with self-esteem (r=-0. 33, p < 0.01) and subjective well-being (r=-0. 32, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of CASRS­12 meets the measurement standard and could be used to measure the level of childhood abuse of Chinese college students.

Scale for time and space experience in anxiety (STEA): Phenomenology and its clinical relevance.

Anxiety is a pervasive emotional state where, phenomenologically, subjects often report changes in their experience of time and space. However, a systematic and quantified examination of time and space experience in terms of a self-report scale is still missing which eventually could also be used for clinical differential diagnosis. Based on historical phenomenological literature and patients' subjective reports, we here introduce, in a first step, the Scale for Time and Space Experience of Anxiety (STEA) in a smaller sample of 19 subjects with anxiety disorders and, in a second step, validate its shorter clinical version (cSTEA) in a larger sample of 48 anxiety subjects. The main findings are (i) high convergent and divergent validity of STEA with both Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (r = 0.7325; p < 0.001) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (r = 0.7749; p < 0.0001), as well as with spontaneous mind wandering (MWS) (r = 0.7343; p < 0.001) and deliberate mind wandering (MWD) (r = 0.1152; p > 0.05), (ii) statistical feature selection shows 8 key items for future clinical usage (cSTEA) focusing on the experience of temporal and spatial constriction, (iii) the effects of time and space experience (i.e., for both STEA and cSTEA scores) on the level of anxiety (BAI) are mediated by the degree of spontaneous mind wandering (MWS), (iv) cSTEA allows for differentiating high levels of anxiety from the severity of comorbid depressive symptoms, and (v) significant reduction in the cSTEA scores after a therapeutic intervention (breathing therapy). Together, our study introduces a novel fully quantified and highly valid self-report instrument, the STEA, for measuring time-space experiences in anxiety. Further we develop a shorter clinical version (cSTEA) which allows assessing time space experience in a valid, quick, and simple way for diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoring of anxiety.

A modified persian version of the self-stigma of depression scale among the Iranian population: a methodological study in 2023.

INTRODUCTION: This cross -sectional research evaluated the psychometric properties of the Self-Stigma of Depression Scale (SSDS) among Iranian people. METHODS: This methodological study was conducted among 881 people in 2023, Iran. The method of proportional stratified sampling was used to select participants. To evaluate the validity, face, content, construct, convergent, and discriminant were evaluated. The reliability of SSDS was assessed with the McDonald's omega coefficient, Cronbach α coefficient, and test- retest (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient). RESULTS: In confirmatory factor analysis, the factor loading of all items of SSDS was more than 0.5, and two items had low factor loading. After deleted these items, goodness of fit indexes (such as GFI = 0.945, RMSEA = 0.067, AGFI = 0.917, CFI = 0.941, RFI = 0.905) confirmed the final model with 14 items and four factors of social inadequacy (3 items), help-seeking inhibition (4 questions), self-blame (3 questions), and shame (4 questions). In the reliability phase, for all items of SSDS, Cronbach α coefficient was 0.850, the McDonald omega coefficient was 0.853, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.903. CONCLUSION: The Persian form of SSDS was approved with 14 items and four factors: social inadequacy, help-seeking inhibition, self-blame, and shame. This tool can be used to check the status of self-stigmatization of depression in different groups.

Validation and optimal cut-off score of the World Health Organization Well-being Index (WHO-5) as a screening tool for depression among patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: The utility of the World Health Organization Wellbeing Index (WHO-5) as rapid screening tool for depression has not yet been researched in the context of schizophrenia. The goals of this study were twofold: (1) to test the psychometric properties of the WHO-5 in a sample of Arabic-speaking patients with schizophrenia from Lebanon, with particular emphasis on validating the WHO-5 as a screening tool for wellbeing and depression in patients with schizophrenia; and (2) to determine the optimal cut-off point to identify schizophrenia patients with depression. METHODS: Chronic, remitted patients with schizophrenia took part in this cross-sectional study between August and October 2023 (n = 117; mean age of 57.86 ± 10.88 years and 63.3% males). The Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) was included as index of validity. For the validation of the WHO-5 scale, we performed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using the original structure of the scale. To assess the discriminatory validity of the Arabic version of the WHO-5 as a screening tool for depression, we conducted a Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, taking the WHO-5 reversed score against the dichotomized CDSS score at a cut off value of 6. RESULTS: The results of CFA supported the originally proposed unidimensional structure of the measure, with good internal consistency reliability (α = 0.80), concurrent validity, and cross-sex measurement invariance. The WHO-5 showed a sensitivity of 0.8 and a specificity of 0.7 in the detection of depression with a cut-off point of 9.5. The validity of the WHO-5 as a screening tool for depression was supported by the excellent discrimination AUC value of 0.838. Based on this WHO-5 cut-off value, 42.6% of the patients were screened as having a depression. CONCLUSION: The study contributes to the field by showing that the WHO-5 is a concise and convenient self-report measure for quickly screening and monitoring depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. It is therefore highly recommended to apply this cut-off point for screening and follow-up assessments. The current findings will hopefully encourage clinicians and researchers working in Arab settings, who are often confronted with significant time and resource constraints, to start using the WHO-5 to aid their efforts in mitigating depression in this vulnerable population and fostering research in this under-researched area.

Convergence of the dimensional assessment of personality pathology (DAPP-BQ) and the five-factor personality inventory for the international classification of diseases 11th edition (FFiCD) in the context of the five-factor model and personality disorders.

The current manuscript presents the convergence of the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology (DAPP-BQ), using its short form the DAPP-90, and the Five-Factor Personality Inventory for International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), the FFiCD, in the context of the five-factor personality model and the categorical approach of personality disorders (PDs). The current manuscript compares the predictive validity of both the FFiCD and the DAPP-90 regarding personality disorder scales and clusters. Results demonstrate a very high and meaningful convergence between the DAPP-90 and the FFiCD personality pathology models and a strong alignment with the FFM. The DAPP-90 and the FFiCD also present an almost identical predictive power of PDs. The DAPP-90 accounts for between 18% and 47%, and the FFiCD between 21% and 47% of PDs adjusted variance. It is concluded that both DAPP-90 and FFiCD questionnaires measure strongly similar pathological personality traits that could be described within the frame of the FFM. Additionally, both questionnaires predict a very similar percentage of the variance of personality disorders.

Psychometrics of the Korean Version of the screen for adult anxiety related disorders (SCAARED).

BACKGROUND: For enhanced management of anxiety disorders, early screening and accurate diagnostic differentiation are essential. The Screen for Adult Anxiety Related Disorders (SCAARED) has been developed to identify and categorize anxiety disorders, thereby facilitating timely and appropriate interventions. In line with this, we aimed to translate and validate the Korean version of the SCAARED questionnaire for the Korean population. METHODS: The original SCAARED was translated into Korean and administered to community adult population (N = 119) ages 18-45 years old in South Korea. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the SCAARED were evaluated. In addition, its factor structure was examined using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was evaluated by comparing SCAARED with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS), the Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Test-retest reliability was evaluated one week after the first assessment. RESULTS: The SCAARED showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.945) and test-retest reliability (γ = 0.883). The SCAARED had significant correlation with DASS-21 subscales (γ = 0.655-0.701), BAI (γ = 0.788) and STAI subscales (γ = 0.548-0.736), confirming good concurrent validity. The results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis showed four factors comparable to the original SCAARED (Generalized anxiety, Somatic/Panic/Agoraphobia, Social anxiety, and Separation anxiety). The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic of total and each of the factor scores ranged from 0.724 to 0.942. CONCLUSIONS: The Korean version of the SCAARED is a reliable and valid instrument to screen for anxiety disorders in the Korean adult populations.

Development and initial validation of Personality Disorder Syndrome scales for the MMPI-3.

The purpose of the present study was to revise and update the MMPI-2-RF personality disorder (PD) syndrome scales for the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3). Study 1 describes the development of the MMPI-3 PD syndrome scales in three separate samples of community participants (n = 1,591), university students (n = 1,660), and outpatient mental health patients (n = 1,537). The authors independently evaluated each of the 72 new MMPI-3 items and rated them for appropriateness for scale inclusion and used various statistical procedures for final item selection. Ultimately, all 10 scales were revised, with nine incorporating items that were new to the MMPI-3. In Study 2, we subsequently validated the new MMPI-3 PD Syndrome scales against measures of traditional PD measures, trait measures of the Alternative Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition-5 model of personality disorders (AMPD) and the five-factor model (FFM) of personality, and specific criterion measures of externalizing, psychopathy, narcissism, emotional dysregulation, and self-harm, in two samples of university students (ns = 489 and 645). With some exceptions, the results were generally supportive of the convergent and discriminant validities of the MMPI-3 PD Syndrome scales. The Histrionic PD scale in particular was associated with questionable results and diverged most strongly from the theoretical construct it was originally meant to reflect. Further continuous validation of the scales is needed, especially in clinical samples, but the findings to date are promising. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Are visual analogue scales valid instruments to measure psychological pain in psychiatric patients?

OBJECTIVE: The Psychological-Physical-Pain Visual Analogue Scale (PPP-VAS) was thought to probably help in identifying patients at risk of suicide. However, no data on its validity to measure psychological pain was available. Our main aim was to investigate the convergent validity of the PPP-VAS using two well-validated scales of psychological pain, the Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain scale (OMMP) and the Holden et al. Psychache Scale. METHODS: This multicentre study recruited a total of 1618 adult psychiatric inpatients and outpatients in Italy. Psychological pain was evaluated using the OMMP, Holden et al., and PPP-VAS scales. Psychiatric status, suicidal status, physical pain, depression, and hopelessness were also assessed. RESULTS: A structural equation model (SEM) using the items of psychological pain from the PPP-VAS showed that items loaded significantly on the psychological pain factor and showed good fit. Similarly, a second SEM model using the three scales of psychological pain showed acceptable fit and converged into a psychological pain construct. Correlations between the PPP-VAS and depression, hopelessness, and physical pain showed moderate correlations (r = 0.43 to r = 0.67). Finally, psychological pain evaluated with the PPP-VAS was significantly related with recent suicidal ideation in all patients (OR [95 % CI] = 1.07 [1.05, 1.09]) and recent suicide attempts in moderately to severely depressed patients, OR [95 % CI] = 1.01 [1.02, 1.03]. CONCLUSION: The PPP-VAS showed good psychometric properties in evaluating psychological pain. The characteristics of the PPP-VAS makes this scale a great option for its use in clinical practice to detect patients at risk of suicide.

Psychometric evaluation of the PCL-5: assessing validity, diagnostic utility, and bifactor structures.

Background: The changes DSM-5 brought to the diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulted in revising the most widely used instrument in assessing PTSD, namely the Posttraumatic Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).Objective: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Romanian version of the PCL-5, tested its diagnostic utility against the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), and investigated the latent structure of PTSD symptoms through correlated symptom models and bifactor modelling.Method: A total sample of 727 participants was used to test the psychometric properties and underlying structure of the PCL-5 and 101 individuals underwent clinical interviews using SCID-5. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses were performed to test the diagnostic utility of the PCL-5 and identify optimal cut-off scores based on Youden's J index. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) and bifactor modelling were performed to investigate the latent structure of PTSD symptoms.Results: Estimates revealed that the PCL-5 is a valuable tool with acceptable diagnostic accuracy compared to SCID-5 diagnoses, indicating a cut-off score of >47. The CFAs provide empirical support for Anhedonia, Hybrid, and bifactor models. The findings are limited by using retrospective, self-report data and the high percentage of female participants.Conclusions: The PCL-5 is a psychometrically sound instrument that can be useful in making provisional diagnoses within community samples and improving trauma-informed practices.

This study offers an in-depth analysis of the Romanian version of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), exploring its psychometric properties, diagnostic utility, and latent structure.An optimal cut-off score was identified for PTSD diagnosis using the SCID-5, providing essential insights into the diagnostic process and enhancing its utility in clinical assessments.Using bifactor modelling and other statistical methods, various PTSD models were compared to offer valuable guidance for future research, assessment, and interventions in this field.

Using machine learning to develop a five-item short form of the children's depression inventory.

BACKGROUND: Many adolescents experience depression that often goes undetected and untreated. Identifying children and adolescents at a high risk of depression in a timely manner is an urgent concern. While the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) is widely utilized in China, it lacks a localized revision or simplified version. With its 27 items requiring professional administration, the original CDI proves to be a time-consuming method for predicting children and adolescents with high depression risk. Hence, this study aimed to develop a shortened version of the CDI to predict high depression risk, thereby enhancing the efficiency of prediction and intervention. METHODS: Initially, backward elimination is conducted to identify various version of the short-form scales (e.g., three-item and five-item versions). Subsequently, the performance of five machine learning (ML) algorithms on these versions is evaluated using the area under the ROC curve (AUC) to determine the best algorithm. The chosen algorithm is then utilized to model the short-form scales, facilitating the identification of the optimal short-form scale based on predefined evaluation metrics. Following this, evaluation metrics are computed for all potential decision thresholds of the optimal short-form scale, and the threshold value is determined. Finally, the reliability and validity of the optimal short-form scale are assessed using a new sample. RESULTS: The study identified a five-item short-form CDI with a decision threshold of 4 as the most appropriate scale considering all assessment indicators. The scale had 81.48% fewer items than the original version, indicating good predictive performance (AUC = 0.81, Accuracy = 0.83, Recall = 0.76, Precision = 0.71). Based on the test of 315 middle school students, the results showed that the five-item CDI had good measurement indexes (Cronbach's alpha = 0.72, criterion-related validity = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: This five-item short-form CDI is the first shortened and revised version of the CDI in China based on large local data samples.

Application and value of anxiety and depression scale in patients with functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) cannot be assessed for their mental health using a suitable and practical measure. The purpose of the study is to investigate the usefulness of several anxiety and depression scales in patients with FD, offering recommendations for clinical identification and therapy. METHODS: From September 2021 to September 2022, patients were sought and selected. The psychological symptoms were assessed using ten depression or anxiety questionnaires. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Spearman analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and single factor analysis were applied. RESULTS: Prospective analysis was performed on 142 healthy individuals and 113 patients with FD. In the case group, anxiety and depression symptoms were more common than in the control group, and the 10 scales showed strong validity and reliability. HAMD had the strongest connection with the PHQ-9 score on the depression scale (0.83). The score correlation between SAS and HAMA on the anxiety analysis scale was the greatest at 0.77. The PHQ-9, SAS, HAMD, and HAMA measures performed exceptionally well in detecting FD with anxiety or depression symptoms (AUC = 0.72, 0.70, 0.70, 0.77, and 0.77, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PHQ-9, SAS, HAMD, and HAMA scales have good application performance in FD patients. They can assist gastroenterologists in evaluating anxiety and depression symptoms, and provide reference and guidance for subsequent treatment.

Psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the meaning in life scale in a sample of young adults.

BACKGROUND: Young adults are in a constant phase of realizing their meaning in life while being in a constant pursuit of meaning. Meaning in life is a subjective, personal construct related to the perception of one's own life. Considering that there are no measures that study this construct within the Arab context, this study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) in the Lebanese context with a sample of young adults. METHODS: A sample of 684 Lebanese young adults was recruited for this study, having a mean age of 21.74 years, 65.6% of which were females. Through an online questionnaire, participants were requested to complete the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-8) and the Oviedo Grit Scale (EGO). RESULTS: CFA indicated that fit of the original bi-dimensional model of MLQ scores was inadequate. Items 9 and 10 cross-loaded to both MLQ factors. After removal of those 2 items, the final model displayed good fit indices. Reliability was good for the Search (ω = 0.89 / α = 0.89) and Presence (ω = 0.88 / α = 0.87) subscales. Additionally, across three levels of gender invariance (Configural, Metric and Scalar), no significant gender-based distinctions were observed in the MLQ scores. The Search subscale was significantly and positively associated with higher GRIT but not psychological distress, whereas the Presence subscale was significantly associated with higher GRIT and lower psychological distress. CONCLUSION: The results of this study contribute to the psychometric reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the MLQ and makes it available for dissemination among young adults within the Arab context. This allows for the implementation of new research that target construct of meaning in life, allowing for the accessibility of interventions that aim to foster the presence of and search for meaning in the lives of young adults within the Arab nations.

Mental health during ecological crisis: translating and validating the Hogg Eco-anxiety Scale for Argentinian and Spanish populations.

BACKGROUND: Eco-anxiety is increasingly recognized as a shared experience by many people internationally, encompassing fear of environmental catastrophe and anxiety about ecological crises. Despite its importance in the context of the changing climate, measures for this construct are still being developed in languages other than English. METHODS: To contribute to global eco-anxiety research, we translated the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS) into Spanish, creating the HEAS-SP. We validated this measure in samples from both Argentina (n = 990) and Spain (n = 548), performing measurement invariance and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency of the scale and score stability over time were investigated through reliability analyses. Differences in eco-anxiety across sociodemographic variables were explored through Student's t-tests and Pearson's r tests. RESULTS: The four-factor model of the HEAS-SP comprising affective and behavioural symptoms, rumination, and anxiety about personal impact demonstrated excellent model fit. We found good internal consistency for each subscale, and established measurement invariance between Spanish and Argentine samples, as well as across genders and participants' age. Spanish participants reported higher scores on the affective symptoms and personal impact anxiety factors compared to the Argentinian sample. Also, men reported lower levels than women on the subscales of affective symptoms, rumination, and personal impact anxiety. It was found that the relationship between both age and personal impact anxiety and age and affective symptoms varies significantly depending on the gender of the individuals. Younger participants tended to report higher scores on most dimensions of eco-anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: These findings enhance the global initiative to investigate, explore and therefore comprehend eco-anxiety by introducing the first valid and reliable Spanish-language version of this psychometric instrument for its use within Spanish and Argentinian populations. This study augments the body of evidence supporting the robust psychometric properties of the HEAS, as demonstrated in prior validations for Australian, Turkish, Portuguese, German, French, and Italian populations.

Improving Maternal Depression Screening in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

PURPOSE: To examine whether self-perceived benefits of mental health treatment differed between mothers of babies in the neonatal intensive care unit with and without a positive screen for depression based on their Edinburgh Postnatal Depression score. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Mothers were recruited in person pre-COVID-19 pandemic, and via phone call and online advertisement during the pandemic. Mothers completed a 10-item depression scale and whether they believed they would benefit from mental health treatment. A chi-square test determined the difference in perceived benefit between mothers who screened positively for depression and those who did not. RESULTS: This secondary analysis included 205 mothers, with an average age of 29. Of the 68 mothers who screened positively for depression, 12 believed that would not benefit from mental health intervention. Of the 137 who screened negatively for depression, 18 believed they would benefit from mental health intervention. Mothers who screened negatively for depression were significantly less likely to believe they would benefit from mental health intervention. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Depression screening scales offer guidance on which mothers to flag for follow-up, but neither on how a mother will respond nor how to effectively approach a mother about her mental health. Nurses can improve identification and follow-up of depressed mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit by asking mothers about their perceived need for mental health treatment.

Psychometric evaluation of the patient health questionnaire stress scale.

The "Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)" is a screening instrument, designed for time-efficient detection and severity assessment of depression, anxiety, and other syndromes in medical settings. Besides the questions on psychological symptoms, there are items on psychosocial functioning, on stressors and critical life events. However, for the stress items there are no psychometric properties available until now. The present study is thought to investigate item characteristics, internal consistency as well as factorial and construct validity of the stress scale of the PHQ. A representative sample of the general population of Germany was collected by a demography consulting company (USUMA, Berlin). Per random-route procedure, households and members of the households were selected. The sample was representative for the German community regarding age, gender, and education. In this investigation the following questionnaires were administered: PHQ-Stress, Questions on Life Satisfaction Modules (FLZ-M), Type-D Scale-14 (DS14). The sample included N = 2396 participants with mean age of 48.50 (SD = 17.75; range = 14 to 92) and 55.2 % being female. Reliability of the PHQ stress scale was acceptable (ω = 0.776), but some factor loadings were comparatively low. Model fit indices showed mixed results, some indicating unacceptable and some indicating acceptable fit of the 10-item stress scale of the PHQ. Correlations with related constructs demonstrated the scale's convergent validity. The results of this validation study indicate that the PHQ stress scale, which provides a one-dimensional total stress score, is a valid, good practical and reliable self-report instrument for assessing the severity of psychosocial stress.

The assessment of transdiagnostic dimensions of emotional disorders: Validation of the Multidimensional Emotional Disorders Inventory (MEDI) in adolescents with subthreshold anxiety and depression.

BACKGROUND: The transdiagnostic approach to psychopathology has emerged as an alternative to traditional taxonomic approaches. The Multidimensional Emotional Disorders Inventory (MEDI) is a specifically designed self-report to measure the transdiagnostic dimensions proposed by Brown and Barlow (2009). This study aims to analyse the psychometric properties of the MEDI scores in adolescents with subthreshold anxiety and depression. METHOD: The sample consisted of a total of 476 students. The mean age was 13.77 years (SD = 1.43) (range 10 to 18 years), 73.9 % were females. Several questionnaires assessing positive affect, negative affect, mental health difficulties, and quality of life were used. RESULTS: The original 9-factor structure of the MEDI was confirmed with good fit indices. Satisfactory levels of internal consistency were observed in most of the MEDI scores using McDonald's Omega, ranging from 0.58 to 0.87. The MEDI dimensions were associated with psychopathology, positive affect, negative affect, and quality of life. LIMITATIONS: Reliance on self-reported data, a cross-sectional design limiting temporal assessment, and a 73.9 % female gender imbalance. CONCLUSION: The MEDI scores showed adequate psychometric properties among adolescents with subclinical emotional symptoms. The results found might have potential clinical implications for conceptualization, assessment, intervention, and prevention of emotional disorders at both clinical and research levels.

The utility of the irritability scale in Huntington's disease patients with evidence of irritability or aggression.

INTRODUCTION: Irritability, a common neuropsychiatric symptom in Huntington's disease (HD), lacks a standardized measurement. The Irritability Scale (IS), tailored for HD, has patient and informant versions, but variable interrater agreement has been reported frequently in previous studies. To enhance the clinical utility of the IS, this study aimed to identify the most reliable components estimating the underlying construct and develop a shortened version for time-limited contexts. METHODS: Participant and informant/observer concordance and the relationship of individual items to the complete IS scale were assessed. The short-form (SF) items were selected based on interrater agreement, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis results. Pair-wise correlation and covariance models were used to examine how SF predicted total IS score in 106 participants from the STAIR (Safety, Tolerability, and Activity of SRX246 in Irritable Subjects with Huntington's Disease) trial. Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis was used to evaluate the range and function of the selected items. RESULTS: IS interrater agreement was statistically significant (r = 0.33, p = .001). In combination with EFA factors and IRT analyses, five items were identified that showed good reliability and performance in differentiating levels of irritability. CONCLUSION: The proposed 5-item SF IS provided a reliable measure of the full scale and may be less burdensome for use in a clinical setting.

Adaption and validation of the Rwandese version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire for the screening of bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar disorder is challenging to diagnose. In Rwanda, a sub-Saharan country with a limited number of psychiatrists, the number of people with an undetected diagnosis of bipolar disorder could be high. Still, no screening tool for the disorder is available in the country. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Mood Disorder Questionnaire in the Rwandan population. METHODS: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire was translated into Kinyarwanda. The process involved back-translation, cross-cultural adaptation, field testing of the pre-final version, and final adjustments. A total of 331 patients with either bipolar disorder or unipolar major depression from two psychiatric outpatient hospitals were included. The statistical analysis included reliability and validity analyses and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. The optimal cut-off was chosen by maximizing Younden's index. RESULTS: The Rwandese version of The Mood Disorder Questionnaire had adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha =0.91). The optimal threshold value was at least six positive items, which yielded excellent sensitivity (94.7%), and specificity (97.3%). The ROC area under the curve (AUC) was 0.99. CONCLUSION: The adapted tool showed good psychometric properties in terms of reliability and validity for the screening of bipolar disorder, with a recommended cutoff value of six items on the symptom checklist for a positive score and an exclusion of items 14 and 15. The tool has the potential to be a crucial instrument to identify otherwise undetected cases of bipolar disorder in Rwanda, improving access to mental health treatment, thus enhancing the living conditions of people with bipolar disorder.