Validation of the Malay Self-Report Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology in a Malaysian Sample

Abstract

Depression is ranked as the second-leading cause for years lived with disability worldwide. Objective monitoring with a standardized scale for depressive symptoms can improve treatment outcomes. This study evaluates the construct and concurrent validity of the Malay Self-Report Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR16) among Malaysian clinical and community samples. This cross-sectional study was based on 277 participants, i.e., patients with current major depressive episode (MDE), n = 104, and participants without current MDE, n = 173. Participants answered the Malay QIDS-SR16 and were administered the validated Malay Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for DSM-IV-TR. Factor analysis was used to determine construct validity, alpha statistic for internal consistency, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for concurrent validity with MINI to determine the optimal threshold to identify MDE. Data analysis provided evidence for the unidimensionality of the Malay QIDS-SR16 with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.88). Based on ROC analysis, the questionnaire demonstrated good validity with a robust area under the curve of 0.916 (p < 0.000, 95% CI 0.884–0.948). A cut-off score of nine provided the best balance between sensitivity (88.5%) and specificity (83.2%). The Malay QIDS-SR16 is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying MDE in unipolar or bipolar depression.

Evaluating the Language- and Culture-Related Construct-Irrelevant Variance and Reliability of the Sense of School Belonging Scale: Suggestions for Revision

“…Traditionally, researchers have used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the construct validity of assessment scales, as noted by Briggs and Cheek (1986), Chan et al (2022), and Yu et al (2022). Additionally, some researchers have employed independent samples t -test to evaluate the discriminative validity and Pearson’s correlation to examine the concurrent validity of assessment scales (Chan et al, 2022). Similarly, Cronbach’s alpha has been commonly used to assess the reliability of assessment scales, as reported by Chan et al (2022), Taber (2017), and Yu et al (2022).…”

“…Additionally, some researchers have employed independent samples t -test to evaluate the discriminative validity and Pearson’s correlation to examine the concurrent validity of assessment scales (Chan et al, 2022). Similarly, Cronbach’s alpha has been commonly used to assess the reliability of assessment scales, as reported by Chan et al (2022), Taber (2017), and Yu et al (2022).…”