Independent dimensions of depression: a factor analysis of three self-report depression measures. 1977

L M Giambra

Covariance studies of objective depression measures have concentrated on total scores. This approach is relatively insensitive in specifying whether these instruments measure the same sub-aspects of depression. To investigate this question, a factor analysis was performed on the items of the Beck Depression Inventory and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and lists A, B, C, and D of the Lubin Depression Adjective Check Lists. Ss were 91 college students and 29 correctional institution inmates. Four clearly interpretable multimeasure factors resulted from a Varimax rotation. The most salient factor was labeled "Depression: Affective Malaise." Earlier studies also have shown this to be a dominant and reliable dimension of depression. The other factors were: Suicidal Ambivalence," "Appetite-Weight Loss," and "Fatigability." Females showed greater Fatigability associated with depression. Factors specific to the Beck and Zung measures also were found, which suggests that the different emphases of these instruments, intensity/severity vs. frequency of symptoms, may contribute very specific depression indicators. This may indicate that both intensity and frequency of symptoms ought to be considered to obtain a "best" objective measure of depression.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010555 Personality Inventory Check list, usually to be filled out by a person about himself, consisting of many statements about personal characteristics which the subject checks. Edwards Personal Preference Schedule,Myers-Briggs Type Indicator,Indicator, Myers-Briggs Type,Inventories, Personality,Inventory, Personality,Myers Briggs Type Indicator,Personality Inventories
D011594 Psychometrics Assessment of psychological variables by the application of mathematical procedures. Psychometric
D003863 Depression Depressive states usually of moderate intensity in contrast with MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER present in neurotic and psychotic disorders. Depressive Symptoms,Emotional Depression,Depression, Emotional,Depressive Symptom,Symptom, Depressive
D005221 Fatigue The state of weariness following a period of exertion, mental or physical, characterized by a decreased capacity for work and reduced efficiency to respond to stimuli. Lassitude
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000339 Affect The feeling-tone accompaniment of an idea or mental representation. It is the most direct psychic derivative of instinct and the psychic representative of the various bodily changes by means of which instincts manifest themselves. Mood,Affects,Moods

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