Psychometric properties of depression in university students of Turkey

Abstract

It is aimed to utilize a factor model for Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Zung Self-depression Scale (SDS) and to compare which scale is more decisive in gradation of depression for our study group. In addition, the depression prevalence in the mentioned population was detected. In January 2008, 83 medical faculty freshmen in Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine have been included in the study. Beck Depression Inventory-II Turkish translation (BDI-II-T) and Zung Self-depression Scale Turkish translation (SDS-T) were applied simultaneously to subjects. Bivariate correlation tests were used for comparison of item score versus total score. Student's t test was used for imposing sexual differences. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy and Bartletts test of sphericity, principal component analysis and varimax rotation were used for factor analysis. The number of students taking part in the research was 83. 42.2% of whom were male and 57.8% female. Mean age was 18.5+/-0.89. 3 factors [factor 1(depressive), factor 2 (negative attitudes towards self), factor 3(somatic)] for BDI-II and 3 factors [factor 1(depressive), factor 2 (anxiety), factor 3 (somatic)] for SDS were found to be interpretable. Between two tests; correlation was found for total test scores, but an inverse association was found for item scores (d:0.027, p:0.014, r:0.503). According to BDI-II-T; moderate depression ratio was 50.6%, serious depression was 42.2% and very serious depression was 7.2%. According to SDS-T, ratios were 25.3%, 12% and 1.2%. BDI is proper to assess severity of depressive symptoms. Moreover, SDS is an excellent screening test in the outpatient setting.