The replicable dimensions of the beck depression inventory

Abstract

Numerous studies have focused on the factor structure of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) because its underlying structure, once identified, may improve our conceptualizations of the cognitive processes in depression. These studies have produced a wide range of interpretations for the BDI, yet the replicability of these factor solutions across independent samples has not been demonstrated. In this study, a series of factor analyses were conducted that involved the use of a new factor matching procedure (FACTOREP), and both depressed patient and normal population samples. The results supported the presence of a large general factor only, which suggests that the items of the BDI are tapping a general construct of depressive symptoms rather than the variety of more specific constructs suggested by previous researchers.