Psychometric properties of the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for adolescents

J Pers Assess. 1992 Aug;59(1):82-98. doi: 10.1207/s15327752jpa5901_8.

Abstract

Items of the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) were rephrased and simplified to make them appropriate for younger subjects. This adolescent form of the DEQ (DEQ-A) was administered to high school students; a factor analysis revealed three factors that were highly congruent in female and male students and with the three factors of the original DEQ. Internal consistency as well as short- and long-term reliability for each of the 3 DEQ-A factors were at acceptable levels. Each factor correlated highly with its counterpart factor in the original DEQ, especially the Dependency and Self-Criticism factors. Correlations of the DEQ-A factors with other measures of depression essentially replicate relationships found between these measures of depression and the original DEQ for adults. The reliability, internal consistency, and validity of the DEQ-A indicate that it could be useful in studying depressive experiences in younger adolescents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Dependency, Psychological
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Male
  • Personality Development*
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychometrics
  • Self Concept