Reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Major Depression Inventory.

Kn Fountoulakis,I Tsiptsios,A Iacovides,Gs Kaprinis,S Kleanthous,K Gougoulias,S Samolis,P Bech

doi:10.1186/1471-244x-3-2

Kn Fountoulakis, I Tsiptsios + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244x-3-2

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Abstract

BackgroundThe Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is a brief self-rating scale for the assessment of depression. It is reported to be valid because it is based on the universe of symptoms of DSM-IV and ICD-10 depression. The aim of the current preliminary study was to assess the reliability, validity and psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the MDI.Methods30 depressed patients of mean age 23.41 (± 5.77) years, and 68 controls patients of mean age 25.08 (± 11.42) years, entered the study. In 18 of them, the instrument was re-applied 1–2 days later and the Translation and Back Translation made. Clinical diagnosis was reached with the use of the SCAN v.2.0 and the International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE). The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) and the Zung Depression Rating Scale (ZDRS) were applied for cross-validation purposes. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, the Spearman Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Principal Components Analysis and the calculation of Cronbach's α.ResultsSensitivity and specificity were 0.86 and 0.94, respectively, at 26/27. Cronbach's α for the total scale was equal to 0.89. The Spearman's rho between MDI and CES-D was 0.86 and between MDI and ZDRS was 0.76. The factor analysis revealed two factors but the first accounted for 54% of variance while the second only for 9%. The test-retest reliability was excellent (Spearman's rho between 0.53 and 0.96 for individual items and 0.89 for total score).ConclusionThe current study provided preliminary evidence concerning the reliability and validity of the Greek translation of the MDI. Its properties are similar to those reported in the international literature, but further research is necessary.

Highlights

The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is a brief self-rating scale for the assessment of depression
The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is reported to be valid [5,6] because it is based on the universe of symptoms of DSM-IV and ICD-10 moderate to severe depression
The MDI is based on the DSM-IV and ICD-10 definitions of depression and a score of 4 or more on an item qualifies for the algorithm of ICD-10 or DSMIV

Summary

Introduction

The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is a brief self-rating scale for the assessment of depression. Most of these instruments are old, and had been developed during the pre-DSM-III era. The Major Depression Inventory (MDI) is reported to be valid [5,6] because it is based on the universe of symptoms of DSM-IV and ICD-10 moderate to severe depression. The MDI items are measured in frequency using the past two weeks as the time frame. The MDI is based on the DSM-IV and ICD-10 definitions of depression and a score of 4 or more on an item (that is, most of the time) qualifies for the algorithm of ICD-10 or DSMIV. The DSM-IV algorithm of the MDI for major depression is a score of 4 or 5 on five of the nine items (item 4 being excluded), but at least one of these five items must be either depressed mood or loss of interest [7]

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