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Avoidance and depression: the construction of the cognitive-behavioral avoidance scale.
Nicole D Ottenbreit1, Keith S Dobson
1Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4. ndottenb@ucalgary.ca
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|February 21, 2004
Summary
This study developed the Cognitive-Behavioral Avoidance Scale (CBAS) to better understand the link between avoidance and depression. The new scale effectively measures multidimensional avoidance, offering utility for depression research.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Previous research indicates a link between avoidance and depression.
- Inconsistent definitions of avoidance have complicated understanding this relationship.
- A need exists for a multidimensional measure of avoidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a new multidimensional measure of avoidance.
- To examine the relationship between multidimensional avoidance and depression.
- To provide a useful tool for depression researchers.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of the avoidance construct and prior research.
- Development and validation of the Cognitive-Behavioral Avoidance Scale (CBAS).
- Factor analysis of the CBAS using a sample of 391 undergraduate students.
Main Results:
- Factor analysis yielded four reliable factors of avoidance (cognitive/behavioral, social/nonsocial).
- The CBAS demonstrated predicted relationships with convergent and divergent measures.
- CBAS scores significantly correlated with depression and anxiety measures.
Conclusions:
- Avoidance is a significant construct in the psychosocial understanding of depression.
- The CBAS offers a validated, multidimensional approach to measuring avoidance.
- The CBAS has practical applications for researchers studying depression and anxiety.