Evaluating the psychometric properties of 3 depression measures in a sample of persons with traumatic brain injury and major depressive disorder

Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J74093

Journal:

Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2016 , 31, 3, 225-232

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study compared the psychometric properties of 3 widely used measures of depression in a sample of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and major depressive disorder and explored modifications to the scales to maximize their efficiency. The scales were: (1) the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), (2) the Symptom Checklist-20 (SCL-20), and (3) the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Data were obtained from 100 adults with complicated mild to severe TBI who had participated in a randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression after TBI. Rasch rating scale analysis and multilevel modeling were used to investigate the 3 measures. Measurement properties of each of the depression measures were strong. Modifications to the rating scales were explored to improve efficiency while retaining strong psychometric characteristics. Correlations among these revised measures were high. Treatment effects of each revised depression measure were compared using a multilevel model, and effect size estimates were comparable among the revised PHQ-9, SCL-20, and HAM-D. Although each of the 3 measures demonstrated adequate reliability, the efficiency of all 3 instruments was improved with rating scale analysis. The PHQ-9 required the fewest modifications and functions well as a measure of depression among those with TBI.

Author(s):