Investigating psychometric properties of short versions of the depressive experiences questionnaire: Findings from a representative large sample of Chinese adolescents

Yanhe Deng; Binze Jiang; Yichen Li; Yifei Zhang; Henry Chen

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.006

Investigating psychometric properties of short versions of the depressive experiences questionnaire: Findings from a representative large sample of Chinese adolescents

J Affect Disord. 2024 May 3:358:52-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.006. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yanhe Deng¹, Binze Jiang², Yichen Li³, Yifei Zhang³, Henry Chen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing, PR China. Electronic address: dengyanhe@cnu.edu.cn.
² College of Teacher Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing, PR China.
³ Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing, PR China.
⁴ Illinois School of Professional Psychology, College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, National Louis University, Chicago, IL, USA.

PMID: 38703907
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.006

Abstract

Background: Adolescence involves a period of swift change, including the development of personality vulnerabilities (i.e., dependency and self-criticism) that act as transdiagnostic factors to psychopathology. Over the past several decades, numerous short revisions have condensed the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) into more efficient measures of personality vulnerability. Prior research has investigated the psychometric properties of the short DEQs in adult and clinical samples. However, there has been insufficient exploration within adolescents, who are in addition marked by fluctuating personality vulnerabilities.

Method: A representative large sample of adolescents and emerging adults in China aged 10 to 25 (N = 23,953) was administered five short DEQs, including the Revised DEQ (RevDEQ), Reconstructed DEQ (RecDEQ), Theoretical DEQ-21/12 (TDEQ-21/12) and adolescent DEQ (DEQ-A). The data was evaluated for internal consistency and criterion-related validity, while factor structure and measurement invariances across gender and age groups were analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A subset of the original sample (N = 2874) was retested after six months and analyzed for test-retest reliability and cross-time invariance.

Result: CFA of the TDEQ-21/12 and RecDEQ supported the intended two-factor model. Good criterion-related validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability for these three versions were found. Satisfying measurement invariances across gender, time, and age groups were established.

Limitation: The study's scope was confined to non-clinical adolescent populations within China, highlighting a gap in cross-cultural and clinical applicability.

Conclusion: The present study supports the use of the TDEQ-21/12 and RecDEQ as valid and concise instruments for measuring Chinese adolescent personality vulnerability.

Keywords: Adolescents; Depressive Experiences Questionnaire; Factor analysis; Measurement invariance.