Cognitive measures of adolescent depression: unique or unitary constructs?

J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2009 Nov;38(6):790-802. doi: 10.1080/15374410903259015.

Abstract

The factor structure of several self-report questionnaires assessing depression-relevant cognitions frequently employed in clinical research was examined in a sample of 390 adolescents (M age = 14.54; 216 girls; 74% Caucasian) with current major depressive disorder enrolled in the Treatment of Adolescents with Depression Study. A four-factor solution resulted, accounting for 65% of the total variance. The factors were labeled (a) Cognitive Distortions and Maladaptive Beliefs, (b) Cognitive Avoidance, (c) Positive Outlook, and (d) Solution-Focused Thinking. Internal consistencies for the factor-based composite scores were .83, .85, .84, and .82, respectively. Girls endorsed more negative cognitions than boys on three of the four factors. Maladaptive cognitions were positively related to severity of depression and predicted treatment response. Taken together, findings indicated that there are four distinct domains of cognitions that are present among adolescents with depression that are tapped by several widely used self-report measures of cognitions.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Cognition Disorders / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Culture
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Female
  • Fluoxetine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Self Concept
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine