| Abstract |
Assessing the severity of symptoms for major depression is critical in ensuring treatment efficacy. However, there are two salient issues with regard to the assessment of depression: the validity (i.e., construct-related validity; MDD symptom structure) and accuracy (i.e., symptom severity) of its measures. This study intends to address these gaps by developing a new scale that: (1) examines the best-fitting MDD model as evidence of validity, and; (2) investigates if intensity of disturbance and frequency of symptom occurrence are accurate indices of MDD severity. Utilizing three samples (conflict-exposed survivors [n鈥�=鈥�2,539], positive screening sample [n鈥�=鈥�849], student sample [n鈥�=鈥�3,070]), confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on the proposed a priori MDD models. Using the best-fitting model, measurement invariance between frequency and intensity symptom responses were then analyzed in three levels (configural, metric, scalar). MDD is best represented by two factors: somatic and cognitive/affective factors. The findings further revealed that MDD鈥檚 frequency and intensity scores are significantly related to anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Finally, the data portraying measurement invariance revealed that frequency and intensity response formats cover uniquely the severity of MDD. This study infers that both response formats significantly account for MDD鈥檚 symptom structure, and therefore, are needed to capture the severity of MDD. By implication, clinicians could develop more nuanced interventions that would address the symptom-groups of MDD and its severity indices. |
Mindanao State
University - Iligan Institute of Technology