Validation of the Swedish version of the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale second edition (RADS-2) in a normative sample

Abstract

Background: Due to the sharp global increase in prevalence of adolescent major depressive disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, we need internationally validated tools for multi-dimensional assessment. Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale second edition (RADS-2) measures dysphoric mood, anhedonia/negative affect, negative self-evaluation and somatic complaints and is widely used internationally, but not yet available in Swedish. Aim: The aim of this study is to test the psychometric characteristics of the Swedish version of RADS-2 in a normative sample. Material and method: Data was gathered from junior and high school students in Northern Sweden (N ¼ 637). We performed: 1. Confirmatory factor analysis to examine the 4-factor structure proposed by Reynolds, 2. Measurement invariance analysis for sex (girls, boys) and age group (12-15 years, 16-20 years). 3. Reliability testing and 4. Tests for concurrent, discriminant and convergent validity using Beck's Youth Inventories of Emotional and Social Impairment Depression and Anger subscales, the Patient Reported Outcome Measurements Information System, Anxiety and Friends subscales and the World Health Organization Wellness Index. Results: The sample consisted of n ¼ 637 students (n ¼ 389 girls and n ¼ 248 boys), mean age 15.73 (SD ¼ 1.76); 12-20 years. The 4-factor structure was confirmed, as well as measurement invariance for sex and age group. Reliability was acceptable to excellent for all subscales and RADS-2 total scale. Concurrent, convergent and discriminant validity was good. Conclusion: The Swedish version of RADS-2 showed acceptable reliability and validity in a Swedish normative sample.

Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale second edition (RADS-2) in a clinical sample

“…Reliability has also been demonstrated in large samples [10]. We have translated RADS-2 to Swedish and have replicated these findings in a normative sample study previously published in this journal [20]. In that sample measurement, invariance was also confirmed for sex and age-group [20].…”

“…We have translated RADS-2 to Swedish and have replicated these findings in a normative sample study previously published in this journal [20]. In that sample measurement, invariance was also confirmed for sex and age-group [20]. Since the scale is intended for clinical application [10] and since valid outcome-measures are needed for both ongoing and future clinical trials, including in participants from a wider age-range than previously studied [9], we here present data on the psychometric properties of RADS-2 in a heterogenous clinical sample with affective symptomatology.…”

“…We also re-analyzed data from a previously published normative sample of n ¼ 637 [20], to evaluate differences in RADS-2 scores between the normative and clinical samples. The methods used for participant recruitment and data collection for the normative sample have been described in detail in our previous publication [20].…”

Psychometric validity of the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale for Youths (MADRS-Y)

“…Higher scores indicate higher symptom severity. The RADS-2 is a well validated self-report questionnaire and has also been shown to be a reliable instrument to use in a Swedish community setting [38]. Cronbach's alpha in the current study was .87 for sample one and .88 for sample two (95% CI).…”

Clinical Effectiveness of Training for Awareness Resilience and Action Online Compared to Standard Treatment for Adolescents and Young Adults With Depression: Study Protocol and Analysis Plan for a Pragmatic, Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Superiority Trial

“…Raw scores range from 30 to 120 and higher scores indicate more severe depression symptoms. The scale has been translated to Swedish and validated in a Swedish adolescent general population (55). Validation in a Swedish clinical population is currently being undertaken by our group (unpublished data).…”