A new proposed factor structure: reliability and validity of the
diagnostic and statistical manual formental disorders scale for
depression. Toru Uehara, Kazuo Takeuchi, Robert E Roberts
Abstract
Depression on college campuses is recognized as an
important issue for mental health maintenance. Valid and user-friendly
measurement methods are necessary to implement campus screening
programs. This study investigated psychometric properties of the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for the Mental Disorders Scale for
Depression (DSD). The authors describe the reliability and
validity of the Japanese version of the DSD toexamine the utility of
this algorithm-based self-rating questionnaire. A new algorithm was
proposed to improve diagnostic performance. To confirm classical
reliability tests and to do factor analyses, 6592 university students
were examined. Diagnostic performance was analyzed for 84 students using
interviews conducted by a psychiatrist. Internal consistency
coefficients were excellent. Five factor solutions were indicated as
follows: psychomotor inhibition, depressive mood, suicidal thoughts,
atypical features, and weight gain. The original algorithm provided high
specificity and low sensitivity. The new five-factor algorithm improved
sensitivity and decreased false positives. The DSD is
useful to diagnose major depressive episodes conveniently and reliably.
Its subscales can evaluate those symptoms which suggest a depression
profile. Future studies should examine clinical applications and their
concurrent and discriminant validity.
Full Article
Effects of Social Support on Cardiovascular and Cortisol Reactivity
during Passive and Active Behavioral Challenge. Einar B.
Thorsteinsson, Jack E. James, M. Elizabeth Douglas, Mary M. Omodei
Abstract
The effects of social
support on cardiovascular and cortisol reactivity during stressful
situations were examined. Sixty healthy male and female participants
were randomly allocated to support, no-support, or alone conditions. In
the active challenge, participants had higher diastolic blood pressure
in the support than the alone condition. In the passive challenge, the
support condition reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure
reactivity compared with nosupport, and heart rate compared with the
alone condition. The active and passive challenges elicited “mixed” and
vascular hemodynamic profile, respectively. The results partly support
the health benefits of support through reduced reactivity in stressful
situations.
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