Comparison of factor structure models for the Beck Depression Inventory--II

Area of Science:

• Psychological assessment
• Psychometrics
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• Factor analyses of the Beck Depression Inventory--II (BDI-II) have yielded inconsistent two-factor oblique structures.
• Previous research indicates variability in the interpretation of BDI-II's underlying factor structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the fit of two common two-factor oblique models against a general-factor model with two orthogonal group factors for the BDI-II.
• To evaluate the empirical and conceptual utility of a general-factor model for the BDI-II.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analyses were employed to test competing models.
• Item data from three clinical and two college samples were utilized for the analyses.

Main Results:

• The general-factor model demonstrated comparable or superior fit to the data compared to the two-factor models.
• High communalities for the General Depression factor (71%-82%) were observed.
• Cognitive and Somatic group factors were identified, reflecting intropunitiveness and fatigue, respectively.

Conclusions:

• The general-factor model offers a robust empirical explanation of the BDI-II's item covariance structure.
• This model provides a conceptually sound and practically applicable interpretation for both clinical practice and research settings.