Psychometric validation of the Montgomery-åsberg Depression Rating Scale - Youth (MADRS-Y) in a clinical sample

Depression in adolescence is a serious major global health problem with increasing rates of prevalence. Measures of depression that are valid for young people are clearly needed in clinical contexts.

The study included 577 patients from child and adolescent psychiatry (n = 471) and primary care (n = 106) aged 12-22 years in Sweden (M_age=16.7 years; 76% female). The reliability and validity for Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale - Youth (MADRS-Y) were investigated. To confirm the latent structure, we used a single-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to test total score differences between diagnostic groups. Using Spearman's rho correlations, we examine whether single items in the MADRS-Y correlate with suicidal ideation measured by The Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-JR (SIQ-JR).

The internal consistency using McDonald's coefficient omega was excellent. The CFA of the 12-item MADRS-Y supported a one factor structure. Evidence of convergent and discriminant validity was shown. There was a significant difference in MADRS-Y scores across diagnostic groups, with higher results for depressive disorders. A strong correlation with suicidal ideation was found for two items.

The results support MADRS-Y as a brief, reliable, and valid self-report questionnaire of depressive symptoms for young patients in a clinical setting.