Abstract
This study evaluated the factorial validity of the Beck Depression Inventory–II with a diverse sample of 919 university students. A randomised split of the data was done, and then exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on Group 1 (n = 460). Thereafter, confirmatory factor analysis was performed on Group 2 (n = 459) to cross-validate the determined factor structure. A lower-order factor structure that comprised three factors, namely, Negative Attitude, Performance Difficulty, and Somatic Complaints was found. A hierarchical second-order analysis indicated that the lower-order factors tap into a higher-order general factor of Depression. Results based on multigroup confirmatory factor analysis further indicated evidence of factorial invariance for this three lower-order factor structure across time. Evidence for convergent and discriminant validity were provided by predicted associations with subscales from the Hopkins Symptom Checklist–25. It is concluded that the Beck Depression Inventory–II is a reliable and valid measure that can be used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms over time among South African university students.
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