Factorial structure of depressive symptoms in Anglophone Caribbean university students: psychometric properties of the beck depression inventory-II / La estructura factorial de los síntomas de depresión en estudiantes universitarios del Caribe angloparlante: rasgos psicometricospsicométricos del inventario de depresión de beck-II

This study sought to establish psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) with Caribbean university students (n=400, 76 percent women, mean age=25.2). Additionally, we administered the Ego Resiliency Scale-89, Perceived Stress Scale-Ten Item Version, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Version, and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis compared the observed structure with the oblique structures proposed in two-factor models. Factorial estimates and goodness-of-fit indices suggested adequate fit for two-factor models. Internal consistency (α=.86) and test-retest reliabilities (n=57, r=.78) were strong. Correlations assessing validity were significant in the theoretically expected directions. Results support use of the BDI-II with Caribbean students.(AU)

Este estudio buscó establecer propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de Depresión de Beck-Segunda Edición (BDI-II) con estudiantes de una universidad del Caribe (n=400, 76 por ciento mujeres, edad media=25.2). Además, administramos la Escala de Elasticidad de Ego-89, La Escala de Tensión Percibida, La Escala de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo (Versión de Rasgo) y La Escala de Depresión de Zung. El análisis factorial confirmativo comparó la estructura observada con las estructuras oblicuas propuestas en los modelos de dos factores. Las estimaciones factoriales y los índices de calidad de ajuste sugirieron adecuado ajuste para modelos de dos factores. La consistencia interna (α=.86) y la fiabilidad test-retest (n=57, r=.78) eran fuertes. Las correlaciones de validez eran significativas en las direcciones teóricamente esperadas. Los resultados apoyan el uso del BDI-II con estudiantes del Caribe.(AU)

Psychometric evaluation of the social experience questionnaire in adolescents: descriptive data, reliability, and factorial validity.

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Social Experience Questionnaire (SEQ) in a sample of 1158 adolescents aged 13-17 years. Confirmatory factor analysis fit indices supported the hypothesized three-factor model of the SEQ that assesses overt and relational victimization, and prosocial behaviors from peers. Analyses of gender differences revealed that boys reported being overtly victimized more than girls, and girls reported greater receipt of prosocial behaviors from peers than boys. No gender differences in relational victimization were found. The internal consistency was adequate across gender, and test-retest stability over 12 months was modest. Intercorrelations among overt and relational victimization subscales suggest that these subscales assess related, but relatively independent constructs of peer victimization. These findings support the use of the SEQ with adolescents.

The Teasing Questionnaire-Revised: measurement of childhood teasing in adults.

This study examined the reliability of the Teasing Questionnaire-Revised (TQ-R) and the relations between recalled childhood teasing and current psychological distress. Three hundred and three undergraduate college students were administered the TQ-R, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory, and UCLA Loneliness Scale. A sub-sample was administered the TQ-R two weeks later. Test-retest reliability of the TQ-R ranged from moderate to strong for the TQ-R scores. Internal consistency for the TQ-R scores ranged from acceptable to good. Intercorrelations among factors were moderate suggesting that the factors measure related but distinct teasing domains. The TQ-R Total Score and Appearance, Performance, and Social factors were related to later psychopathology with correlations of a moderate effect size. Implications of these findings and areas for future research are discussed.

Reliability and validity of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale.

To investigate the reliability and validity of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), 28 youth aged 6 to 17 years with Tourette's syndrome (TS) participated in the study. Data included clinician reports of tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) severity, parent reports of tics, internalizing and externalizing problems, and child reports of depression and anxiety. All children participated in a 2nd YGTSS administration by the same rater 48 days later. Good internal consistency and stability were found for the YGTSS scores. YGTSS scores demonstrated strong correlations with parent-rated tic severity (r = .58-.68). YGTSS scores were not significantly related to measures of clinician ratings of OCD severity (r = .01-.15), parent ratings of externalizing and internalizing behavior (r = -.07-.20), and child ratings of depression (r = .02-.26) and anxiety (r = -.06 -.28). Findings suggest that the YGTSS is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of pediatric TS.

Further psychometric properties of the Tourette's Disorder Scale-Parent Rated version (TODS-PR).

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Tourette's Disorder Scale-Parent Rated (TODS-PR), a 15-item parent-rated instrument that assesses a range of common symptoms seen in childhood Tourette's Disorder (TD) patients including tics, obsessions, compulsions, inattention, hyperactivity, aggression, and emotional disturbances. Participants were 67 children and adolescents ages 6-17 years who were diagnosed with TD and/or OCD and seen as a part of a larger study. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the original 4-factor structure of the TODS-PR with some slight re-specification of factor content. Internal consistencies were acceptable for the TODS-PR Total Score and factors. The TODS-PR Total Score and factors showed good convergent validity with other measures of symptomatology and impairment. These findings suggest that the TODS-PR is a reliable and valid parent-rating scale for assessing TD symptoms.

Psychometric evaluation of the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale.

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). A total of 61 children and adolescents, aged 4-18 years, who were diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) participated. Thirty-seven of these children also participated in a second CY-BOCS administration by the same rater an average of 41 days later. Good internal consistency and test-retest reliability were found for the CY-BOCS Obsession and Compulsion Severity Scores and the Total Score. CY-BOCS scores demonstrated strong correlations with clinician-rated measures of impairment, obsessions, and compulsions. In addition, CY-BOCS scores were moderately related to measures of depression, aggressive behavior, and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but were not significantly related to clinician ratings of tics or self-reports of general anxiety. Findings suggest that the CY-BOCS is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of childhood obsessions and compulsions.

Psychometric evaluation of the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents and the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children: construct validity and normative data.

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A) and Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children (SPAI-C) in a sample of 1147 adolescents aged 13-17 years. The fit indices of confirmatory factor analyses were comparable to those obtained in prior studies and supported the hypothesized models of the SAS-A and SPAI-C. The internal consistency was good and 12-month test-retest reliability modest for both measures. A significant, positive correlation was found between the SAS-A and SPAI-C, showing that these measures assess related, but relatively independent constructs of social anxiety and phobia. These findings support the use of the SAS-A and SPAI-C with adolescents.

Factor structure, concurrent validity, and internal consistency of the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition in a sample of college students.

We examined the psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) [Beck et al., 1996, San Antonio: The Psychological Corporation]. Four hundred fourteen undergraduate students at two public universities participated. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the BDI-II two-factor structure measuring cognitive-affective and somatic depressive symptoms. In addition, the internal consistency was high and the concurrent validity of the BDI-II was supported by positive correlations with self-report measures of depression and anxiety. These findings replicate prior research supporting the validity and reliability of the BDI-II in a college sample.

Strength of religious faith and psychological adjustment in intercollegiate athletes.

In light of recent research examining the distress buffering properties of religion in intercollegiate athletes' lives, the present study investigated associations among religious faith and depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, and loneliness. Using self-report questionnaires, religious faith was not correlated with depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, and loneliness in 57 intercollegiate athletes.

A factor analytic study of the loneliness and social dissatisfaction scale in a sample of African-American and Hispanic-American children.

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Scale (LSDS) in a sample of African-American and Hispanic-American children. Participants were a non-clinical sample ( N = 186) of children ages 11 to 13 in the fifth and sixth grades in a school in the Metropolitan New York area. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a two-factor model fits the sample data better than a one-factor model. Internal consistencies were acceptable across the two factors, and convergent validity of the LSDS was supported by a moderately positive relation with a self-report measure of depressive symptomatology. In a structural equation model, ethnicity, grade, and gender predicted little variance in each LSDS factor, suggesting little measure bias. These preliminary findings suggest that the LSDS is a psychometrically sound instrument for African-American and Hispanic-American children, yet future inspection of its factor structure in more diverse samples of children is warranted.

Further psychometric support for the Sensation Seeking Scale--Form V.

In this study, we investigated the psychometric properties of the Sensation Seeking Scale-V (SSS-V; Zuckerman, Eysenck, & Eysenck, 1978). Participants were 498 undergraduate students at a public university. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the SSS-V four-factor structure. In addition, the internal consistency was high and the convergent validity of the SSS-V was supported. These findings replicate research supporting the construct validity and reliability of the SSS-V in a nonclinical college sample.

Biological responses to stressors and the role of personality.

The purpose of this article is to identify recent studies revealing biological responses to various stressors. Furthermore, the role of personality in moderating stress responses is introduced. Identifying gender differences in appraisal of stressors may reflect biological differences in the release of stress hormones. A recommendation for future research that continues to identify the stress-buffering role of personality characteristics is recommended.