Date Published:
2015 Jun

Publication Type:
Journal Article

Authors:

A.L. Hobkirk
A.J. Starosta
J.A. De Leo
C.M. Marra
R.K. Heaton
M. Earleywine

Secondary:
Psychol Assess

Volume:
27

Pagination:
457-66

Issue:
2

PMID:
25419643

URL:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25419643

DOI:
10.1037/pas0000040

Keywords:
Adult;Anti-HIV Agents;CHARTER;Cross-Sectional Studies;Depressive Disorder;Depressive Disorder, Major;Female;HIV Long-Term Survivors;HIV Seropositivity;Humans;Internal;Male;Middle Aged;Personality Inventory;Psychometrics;Reproducibility of Results

Abstract:
<p>Rates of depression are high among individuals living with HIV. Accurate assessment of depressive symptoms among this population is important for ensuring proper diagnosis and treatment. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is a widely used measure for assessing depression, however its psychometric properties have not yet been investigated for use with HIV-positive populations in the United States. The current study was the first to assess the psychometric properties of the BDI-II among a large cohort of HIV-positive participants sampled at multiple sites across the United States as part of the CNS HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) study. The BDI-II test scores showed good internal consistency (α = .93) and adequate test-retest reliability (internal consistency coefficient = 0.83) over a 6-mo period. Using a "gold standard" of major depressive disorder determined by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, sensitivity and specificity were maximized at a total cut-off score of 17 and a receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed that the BDI-II is an adequate diagnostic measure for the sample (area under the curve = 0.83). The sensitivity and specificity of each score are provided graphically. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the best fit for a three-factor model over one-factor and two-factor models and models with a higher-order factor included. The results suggest that the BDI-II is an adequate measure for assessing depressive symptoms among U.S. HIV-positive patients. Cut-off scores should be adjusted to enhance sensitivity or specificity as needed and the measure can be differentiated into cognitive, affective, and somatic depressive symptoms.</p>