Dissertation

Investigating the underlying factor structure of measures of depressive symptomatology and correlates of depression using structural equation modeling

Szymanski, Jeff B

1997

Overview

Cognitive-behavioral models of depression identify several interpersonal and intrapersonal factors that may play a role in the etiology and/or maintenance of depression. These include: cognitive distortions, negative automatic cognitions, hopelessness, social problem-solving skills, coping strategies, and social support. Initial attempts to demonstrate the role of each of these constructs in depression have resulted in a proliferation of self-report questionnaires, and numerous studies have demonstrated that these questionnaires are correlated with self-reports of depressive symptoms. Although each of the constructs reflected in these self-report questionnaires is presumed to be at least partially independent of the others, to date, the discriminant validity of these questionnaires has yet to be established. In the absence of information regarding the discriminability of these questionnaires, several possibilities exist regarding their actual factor structure (i.e., how many constructs are being measured, what constitutes each of the constructs). These possibilities are investigated in this study. Two-hundred forty-nine participants completed several questionnaires measuring depressive symptoms and correlates of depression. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess the underlying factor structure of these questionnaires. Results indicate that the above mentioned constructs can be differentiated from one another and from depressive symptoms. Theoretical, assessment, and treatment implications are discussed.

• Publisher: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Subject: Clinical psychology / Psychological tests / Psychotherapy / Quantitative psychology
• ISBN: 9780591432121, 0591432129