Depressive Cognition Scale Research Articles

DEPRESSIVE COGNITIONS AND SYMPTOMS IN CAREGIVING GRANDMOTHERS: TESTING GROWTH CURVE MODEL STABILITY

Abstract Grandmothers caring for grandchildren have elevated depressive symptoms levels compared to grandmothers who do not provide care. Depressive symptoms are state-like in nature and describe recent depressive symptoms. The Depressive Cognition Scale© captures changes in negative thinking patterns that often precede depressive symptoms. Depressive cognitions, according to Beck’s theory of depression, are the first depressive symptoms to appear and typically lead to more serious symptoms of depression. Previously diagnosed depression may also contribute to current levels of depressive cognitions and depressive symptoms. Data were collected on 342 participants in a longitudinal nationwide online research study of caregiving grandmothers. A latent growth curve model of how previously diagnosed depression and depressive cognitions impacted the trajectory of depressive symptoms at four time points (baseline, 2 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks) was tested. The model fit the data well (Chi Square=24.301.; df=12; p=.019; TLI=.977; CFI=.987; RMSEA=.055). This model was submitted to 6 separate multigroup nested model tests (levels of income, education, age, employment, number of children, and primary vs. multigeneration families) to provide evidence supporting generalizability of the model. All models fit the data well (TLI=.960-.991; CFI=.973-.992; RMSEA=.051-.025). Total invariance/stability, based on nonsignificant changes in chi square and CFI<.01, was supported in the multigroup analyses across all levels testing equality in measurement and regression weights and residual variances. This lack of change in the model across 6 different grandmother scenarios provides further evidence supporting the need for interventions to address diagnosed depression and depressive cognitions for reducing depressive symptoms in grandmother caregivers.

DEPRESSION, DEPRESSIVE COGNITIONS, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN CAREGIVING GRANDMOTHERS: A GROWTH CURVE MODEL

Abstract Grandmothers caring for grandchildren have elevated levels of depressive symptoms compared to grandmothers who do not provide care. Depressive symptoms are state-like in nature and describe recent depressive symptoms. The Depressive Cognition Scale© captures changes in negative thinking patterns that often precede depressive symptoms. Depressive cognitions, according to Beck’s theory of depression, are the first depressive symptoms to appear and typically lead to more serious symptoms of depression. Specifically, depressive cognitions reflect negative thinking patterns. Previously diagnosed depression may contribute to current levels of depressive cognitions and depressive symptoms. Data were collected on 342 participants in a longitudinal nationwide online research study of caregiving grandmothers. A latent growth curve model was used to track the trajectory of depressive symptoms at four time points (baseline, 2 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks). This latent growth curve model was tested to gain an understanding of how diagnosed depression and depressive cognitions impact the trajectory of depressive symptoms over time. The model fit the data well (Chi Square=24.301.; df=12; p=.019; TLI=.977; CFI=.987; RMSEA=.055). Baseline depressive cognitions strongly impacted the intercept (Standardized Beta=.65, p<.001) and the slope of depressive symptoms (Standardized Beta=-.65, p<.001), diagnosed depression predicted depressive cognitions (Standardized Beta =.32, p<.001) and the intercept of depressive symptoms (Standardized Beta=.36, p<.001). The continued impact of diagnosed depression and depressive cognitions over 24 weeks indicates the need for potential interventions to further address diagnosed depression and depressive cognitions as a way to decrease depressive symptoms in grandmother caregivers.

Depressive Cognitions Impact On A Latent Growth Curve Model Of Depressive Symptoms In Caregiving Grandmothers

Grandmothers caring for grandchildren have elevated levels of depressive symptoms compared to grandmothers who do not provide care. While the CES-D measures the somatic, positive and negative affect, and interpersonal strain symptoms experienced with depression, the Depressive CognitionScale © captures the change in cognitive thinking that often precedes depression. Depressive symptoms, on the other hand, are state like in nature and describe depressive symptoms that have happened recently. While depressive cognitions, according to Beck’s theory of depression, are the first negative thought processes to appear, these typically lead to other, more serious symptoms of depression. Specifically, depressive cognitions reflect negative thinking patterns and not depression. Data were collected on 343 participants in a longitudinal nationwide online research study of caregiving grandmothers. A latent growth curve model was used to track the trajectory of depressive symptoms at four time points (baseline, 2 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks). As depressive cognitions are the precursor to the development of depressive symptoms, a latent growth curve model was tested to gain an understanding of how depressive cognitions impacts the trajectory of depressive symptoms over time. The model fit the data well (Chi Square=21.025; df=9; p=.013; TLI=.976; CFI=.985; RMSEA=.063). Baseline depressive cognitions had a strong impact on the intercept (Standardized Beta=.76, p<.001) and the slope of depressive symptoms (Standardized Beta=-.67, p<.001). The continued impact of depressive cognitions over 24 weeks indicates the need for potential interventions to further address depressive cognitions as a way to decrease depressive symptoms in grandmother caregivers.

Comparison of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) to detect depression in diabetic patients

Comparison of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) to detect depression in diabetic patients

Mindfulness and suicide risk in undergraduates: chain mediating effect of cognitive flexibility and depressive cognition

Objective To explore the chain mediating effect of cognitive flexibility and depressive cognition between mindfulness and suicide risk in undergraduates. Methods Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-revised (SBQ-R), mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS), cognitive flexibility inventory (CFI) and depressive cognition scale (DCS) were used to investigate 2 627 freshmen from a medical university in Guangdong Province. Results The scores of suicide risk, mindfulness, cognitive flexibility and depressive cognition were (M(QR)): 4.00(2.00), 67.00(15.00), 78.00(13.00), 5.00(7.00), respectively.The results of correlation analysis showed that suicide risk was positively correlated with depressive cognition (r=0.280, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with the level of mindfulness and cognitive flexibility (r=-0.253, r=-0.196, P<0.01). Mindfulness was positively correlated with cognitive flexibility (r=0.539, P<0.01), negatively correlated with depressive cognition (r=-0.518, P<0.01). Cognitive flexibility was negatively correlated with depressive cognition (r=-0.584, P<0.01). Mediation modeling analysis showed that mindfulness had a significant direct effect on suicide risk.The direct effect value was -0.101, accounting for 34.9% of the total effect.The total indirect effect of mindfulness on suicide risk was -0.188, accounting for 65.1% of the total effect.The mediating effect of cognitive flexibility as mediator between mindfulness and suicide risk was -0.063, accounting for 21.8% of the total effect.The mediating effect of depressive cognition as mediator between mindfulness and suicide risk was -0.054, accounting for 18.7% of the total effect.The chain mediating effect of cognitive flexibility and depressive cognition was -0.071, accounting for 24.6% of the total effect. Conclusion Mindfulness can influence suicide risk, not only through the direct path, but also through the indirect path of cognitive flexibility and depressive cognition, as well as the chain mediating path between these two variables. Key words: Mindfulness; Suicide risk; Cognitive flexibility; Depressive cognition

Psychometric Assessment of the Depressive Cognition Scale Among Older Chinese People

The study aimed to translate the Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) into Chinese and to test its reliability and validity among Chinese older people. Using a cross-sectional design, a demographic questionnaire and Chinese versions of the Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS-CHI) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) were administered. The sample consisted of 1673 older people who were from communities and hospitals. The Cronbach's alpha (α) of DCS-CHI was 0.91, and the test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.86-0.95, p<0.001). The Content Validity Index (CVI) was found to be good. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) resulted in a single factor that explained 58.46% of the total variance and all 8 items had strong factor loadings ranging from 0.62 to 0.83; confirmatory factory analysis (CFA) indicated all measurements of the structural model exceeded the recommended criteria, and the single factor solution of DCS-CHI had a good fit (χ2/df=2.45, GFI=0.99, AGFI=0.97, CFI=0.99, TLI=0.99, RMSEA=0.04, RMR=0.01, PCLOSE=0.79). The strong correlation of 0.81 (p<0.01) between the DCS-CHI and CES-D suggested good concurrent validity. Specifying the CES-D as the criterion, the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of the DCS-CHI for the optimal cut-point was 0.941(95%CI:0.919-0.963, p=0.000), the sensitivity and the specificity were 84.7% and 90.7% respectively, suggesting good predictive validity. The findings support the reliability and validity of the DCS-CHI as a measure of depressive cognitions that typically proceed more serious depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults.

Online Positive Thinking Training Intervention for Caregivers of Individuals with ASD: Necessity, Acceptability and Feasibility

ABSTRACTBackground: More than 3.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Caring for children with ASD can be stressful and can be detrimental to the well-being of the caregivers (CGs). However, the adverse effects of caregiving on the well-being of CGs may be avoided with appropriate interventions. CGs of persons with ASD might benefit from a positive thinking training (PTT) intervention to help them cope with the stress of caregiving. However, the necessity, acceptability and feasibility for PTT in ASD CGs have not been studied.Objective: To examine the necessity, acceptability and feasibility of a six-week online PTT intervention designed to improve the well-being of the CGs.Design: Random assignment of ASD CGs to one of two conditions: (1) PTT online intervention or (2) Control group.Results: The mean score on the depressive cognition scale (DCS) was 20, indicating a high need of PTT to all enrolled CGs. High depressive cognitions in ASD CGs were associated with lower positive thinking (r = −.39; p <.001). Regarding acceptability, CGs indicated that the different strategies and references to real life were the most interesting parts of the intervention. Regarding feasibility, CGs mentioned that listening to the voice-over PowerPoint and visualization was the easiest part of the PTT.Conclusions: Examination of the fidelity and effectiveness of the PTT are the next steps in the refinement of this intervention.

Outcomes of Depression in Black Single Mothers.

Despite suggestions in the literature that depression has serious consequences, few studies have examined specific health and psychosocial outcomes of depression in Black single mothers. The purpose of this study was to estimate paths in a just-identified theoretical model of outcomes of depression for Black single mothers based on theoretical propositions and empirical findings. The model included the variables, depressive cognitions, depressive symptomatology, perceived social support, and positive health practices. Five direct and two indirect hypothesized relationships were estimated using structural equation modeling. A nonprobability sample of convenience of 159 Black single mothers aged 18 to 45 years was recruited for the study. This study used a cross-sectional correlational design. The participants responded in person or via the U.S. mail to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, the Depressive Cognition Scale, the Personal Resource Questionnaire 85-Part 2, and the Personal Lifestyle Questionnaire. Beta and Gamma path coefficients were statistically significant for four out of five hypothesized direct relationships within the model ( p < .01). The direct path between depressive cognitions and positive health practices was not supported (Gamma = -.11, p > .05). The two indirect paths were weak but statistically significant ( p < .01). Depressive symptoms and perceived social support were outcomes of depressive cognitions. Positive health practices was not a direct outcome of depressive cognitions. Perceived social support and positive health practices were outcomes of depressive symptoms.

Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the depressive cognition scale among the older people

Objective To test the reliability and validity of the Chinese Version of the Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) among the older people. Methods The sample consisted of 570 old people, collected by a demographic questionnaire, the Chinese version of DCS, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), then all the data was analyzed by SPSS 21.0. Results The item-to-total correlation coefficients of DCS ranged from 0.65 to 0.84 (P<0.01), and the average coefficient was 0.77. The content validity index(CVI) was 0.88.The result of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was that one factor explained 59.72% of the total variances, and the concurrent validity between DCS and CES-D was positive related (r=0.24-0.82, P<0.01). Regarding CES-D as the gold standard, the sensitivity was 84.7% and the specificity was 90.7%.The inter-item correlation coefficients of DCS ranged from 0.40 to 0.73 (P<0.01); the Cronbach α was 0.82, and the retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient, ICC) was 0.92 (95%CI=0.86-0.95, P<0.01). Conclusion DCS is proved to be a reliable and valid instrument, and it can be used to assess the depressive cognition and screen the early depressive symptoms of Chinese old adults. Key words: Depression; Cognition; Scale; Reliability; Validity

Psychometric Assessment of the Depressive Cognition Scale in Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

Caregivers of persons with dementia are prone to depression. Early identification of cognitive depressive symptoms is important to prevent the development of clinical depression. The Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) can be used for early detection, but the scale's psychometrics have not been tested in caregivers of persons with dementia. In this study, 80 caregivers of persons with dementia completed the eight-item DCS and measures of caregiver burden and resourcefulness. A Cronbach's alpha of .88 indicated internal consistency. Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with caregiver burden (r = .40; p < .001) and resourcefulness (r = –.54; p < .001). Principal components factor analysis resulted in two factors in which five items loaded cleanly on one factor and two items have cross-loadings. Because prior factor analysis in previous studies resulted in one factor, we did confirmatory factor analysis in which we forced the items on one factor. All the items loaded on the single factor and the amount of variance explained was 55.99%. The findings suggest the DCS is useful for early detection of depression in caregivers of persons with dementia.

Psychometric Assessment of the Depressive Cognition Scale Among Caregivers of Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Caregivers of persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are prone to depression, and early identification of cognitive depressive symptoms is important to prevent the development of clinical depression. The Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) can be used for early detection, but the scale's psychometrics has not been tested in caregivers of persons with ASD. In this study, 95 caregivers of persons with ASD completed the eight-item DCS and measures of caregiver burden and resourcefulness. A Cronbach's alpha of .90 indicated internal consistency. Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with caregiver burden (.59) and resourcefulness (−.57). Principal component factor analysis produced a single factor with 58% of the variance explained. The findings suggest the DCS is useful for early detection of depression in caregivers of persons with ASD.

Psychometric testing of the Depressive Cognition Scale in Korean adults

This study translated the Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) from English into Korean and tested the reliability and validity of the scale. Data were from a convenient sample of 795 community-dwelling Korean adults with a self-administered questionnaire. With regard to the reliability estimate, the internal consistency of the Korean version of the DCS (K-DCS) was acceptable, where the Chronbach's alpha is .93 and the average item-to-total correlation r = .760. With regard to the validity estimate, the mean scores of the K-DCS were significantly different according to gender, age, and marital status. A single factor was extracted that accounted for 67.37% of the total variance. The average score of the K-DCS also correlated significantly with the subscales of the Korean version of the Profile of the Mood States Brief Form. These findings suggest that the K-DCS can be used as a reliable and valid measure of depressive cognition among Korean adults.

Screening Measure for Early Detection of Depressive Symptoms

Nearly 10% of American adults experience depressive symptoms each year. Negative thought patterns associated with risk for depression can be identified using a psychometrically sound measure, such as the Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS). However, no meaningful cutoff score has been established for the DCS. This study used a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to establish a DCS cutoff score for risk for depression, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) as the gold standard measure. In a national nondepressed sample of 629 adults, the ROC showed that the DCS accurately discriminated between participants with and without serious depressive thinking in 80% of cases and established an optimum balance of sensitivity (73.9-76.6%) and specificity (69.0-75.3%) at a score of 7. Although findings indicate that the DCS may overidentify risk for clinical depression, the instrument is useful for screening and assessment, with possible initiation of psychological treatment to prevent clinical depression.

Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Version of the Depressive Cognition Scale in First-Year Adolescent Egyptian Nursing Students

Identifying depressive cognitions in adolescent nursing students can be an important step to prevent the development of clinical depression, which is positively associated with suicide. This study focused on the psychometric testing of the Arabic version of the Depressive Cognition Scale (A-DCS) among 170 first-year adolescent Egyptian nursing students. The questionnaire was assessed for internal consistency, homogeneity, and construct validity using factor analysis and convergent validity. Cronbach's alpha for (A-DCS) was .86. The homogeneity of the instrument was supported by item-to-total correlations between .30 and .70. Factor extraction generated only one factor with eigenvalues greater than 1, which is consistent with the English version. The (A-DCS) total score had a strong significant correlation with the Alienation Scale scores (r = .51, p < .01), indicating convergent validity. This scale has the potential to become a useful screening tool for depressive cognitions among Egyptian nursing students.

Factorial structure of the perception of risk factors for type 2 diabetes scale: exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses

The extent to which individuals' perceptions of risk for type 2 diabetes are related to their actual risks and health-promoting behaviours is not well known. Yet perception of risk for type 2 diabetes may influence the likelihood that individual would engage in preventive behaviours. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the perception of risk factors for type 2 diabetes (PRF-T2DM). A descriptive, correlational, methodological design was used to conduct this study. The sample consisted of 629 adults from 42 states of the United States. A demographic questionnaire, the PRF-T2DM, the health-promoting lifestyle profile II and the depressive cognition scale were used to collect the data. Data analyses consisted of descriptive statistics, scale and item analyses, Pearson's correlation analysis, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The PRF-T2DM has a Cronbach's alpha of 0.81. Both extracted factors had Cronbach's alphas of 0.74 and 0.80, respectively. Most inter-item and item-to-total correlation coefficients for factor 1 and factor 2 met the recommended criteria of r=0.30 to r=0.70. The PRF-T2DM achieved all minimum recommended criteria for model fit (χ(2) /d.f.=2.33, goodness of fit index=0.95, adjusted goodness of fit index=0.93, comparative fit index=0.94, root mean square error of approximation=0.05, root mean residual=0.05 and the P value for test of close fit=0.33). All statistical estimates and measures of model fit were above the standard recommended criteria. The scale has potential uses in research and clinical practice. Further development and psychometric evaluation of the PRF-T2DM is warranted.

Psychometric Assessment of the Depressive Cognition Scale in Women Family Members of Adults with Serious Mental Illness

Family members of persons with serious mental illness (SMI) are vulnerable to depression, and early identification of cognitive depressive symptoms is important to prevent it. The Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) may be beneficial for early detection, but the scale's psychometrics have not been tested in family members of persons with SMI. In this study, 60 women relatives of adults with SMI completed the eight-item DCS and measures of caregiver burden, resourcefulness, sense of coherence, and quality of life. A Cronbach's alpha of .87 indicated internal consistency. Construct validity was supported by correlations with caregiver burden (.40), resourcefulness (–.65), sense of coherence (–.77), and quality of life (–.70). Confirmatory factor analysis produced a single factor with 48% of the variance explained and factor loadings >.45 for all items. The findings suggest the DCS is useful for early detection of depression in women relatives of adults with SMI.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Depressive Cognition Scale

The purpose of this study was to validate the single-factor structure of the Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) among individuals from the U.S. general population. The sample was composed of 629 adults from 42 states of the United States. All measures of model fit of the DCS exceeded the recommended criteria for the good model fit (χ(2)/df = 2.57, goodness-of-fitness index = .98, adjusted goodness-of-fitness index = .96, comparative fit index = .99, Tucker Lewis index = .98, root mean square error of approximation = .05, root mean residual = .01, and the P value for test of close fit = .464). Thus, the DCS was found to be a reliable and valid instrument to measure depressive cognitions among individuals from the general population.

Assessment of Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Impairment in Elders From Rural Areas of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul

The main objective of this study was to examine the relationships among demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, and cognitive impairment in oldest-old elders from rural areas of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul. A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was used to conduct the study. 137 Brazilian elders age 80 years or over. A target population data form, a county data form, a demographic questionnaire, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Depressive Cognition Scale were used to collect the data. A significant difference was found between males and females in regard to cognitive impairment. In addition, educational level and depressive symptoms were correlated with cognitive impairment. Depressive symptoms were a weak but significant predictor of cognitive impairment after controlling for the effect of age, gender, and educational level of the oldest-old elders. The findings need to be interpreted cautiously since the sample scored above the cutoff points for cognitive impairment, and had low scores on depressive symptoms. Despite several limitations, findings from this study can be a foundation for further studies, and well-designed correlational or experimental approaches, are warranted.

Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of the Depressive Cognition Scale in Brazilian Adults With Diabetes Mellitus

Identifying depressive cognitions in Brazilians with diabetes can be important step to prevent the development of clinical depression, which is negatively associated with diabetes self-management. This study focused on the psychometric testing of the Portuguese version of the Depressive Cognition Scale, the Escala Cognitiva de Depressão (ECD), among 82 Brazilian adults with diabetes mellitus. The questionnaire was assessed for internal consistency, homogeneity, and construct validity using factor analysis and convergent validity assessment with the Portuguese version of the Beck Depression Inventory, the Inventário de Depressão Beck (IDB). Cronbach's alpha for the ECD was .88. The homogeneity of the instrument was supported by item-to-total correlations between .30 and .70. Factor extraction generated only one factor with eigenvalues greater than 1, which is consistent with the English version. The ECD's total score had a weak but significant correlation with the IDB's total score (r = .24, p < .05), indicating convergent validity. Evidence for the reliability and construct validity of the ECD was provided by this study. This scale has the potential to become a useful screening tool for depressive cognitions among Brazilians with diabetes.

Cross-Cultural Equivalence and Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of the Depressive Cognition Scale

There is a great need for researchers to have access to reliable and valid research instruments in their own language to measure a concept of interest or concern. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine semantic equivalency and psychometric properties of the Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS) in a Brazilian sample of diabetics. Back-translation and field testing methodology was used to determine the DCS semantic equivalency and psychometric properties. A convenience sample of 40 bilingual Brazilian adults was used to conduct the field testing of the scale. The findings suggested that the translation of the DCS was adequate and initial estimates of internal consistency and construct validity were adequate for both the DCS and its Portuguese version. Psychometric testing of the Portuguese language version of the DCS in this small sample appears to have sufficient reliability and validity for use in examining depressive cognitions in Brazilian adults. Further psychometric testing of the Portuguese version of the DCS in a larger Portuguese-speaking sample with diabetes is recommended.