Abstract
Objectives
The Male Depression Risk Scale (MDRS-22) is a self-report scale that assesses externalising and male-typical depression symptoms with promising psychometric properties reported in young-to-middle aged men. However, studies are yet to consider the psychometric properties of the MDRS-22 in older men. This study examined the psychometric properties of the MDRS-22 in both younger and older males and its relationship to prototypic depression symptoms and self-reported depression history.
Method
A community sample of younger (n = 510; 18–64 years) and older (n = 439; 65–93 years) males completed the original 82 MDRS items from which the MDRS-22 was derived, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and provided information regarding previous depression diagnoses. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine factor structure. Generalised linear models examined the relationship between externalised and male-typical symptoms with prototypic depression symptoms in younger and older men.
Results
Model fit indices demonstrated that the MDRS-22 performs well in older males. Results also revealed that the MDRS-22 is associated with prototypic depression symptoms and a previous depression diagnosis in both age groups.
Conclusion
Results support the psychometric validity of the MDRS-22 as a measure of externalising and male-typical depression symptoms in older men. Use of scales such as the MDRS-22 may help to improve the detection of depression in men across the lifespan and may also identify factors that put men at risk of poor physical and mental health outcomes.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank all participants for contributing to this study.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflict of interest.
Authors’ contributions
D.H., S.R., L.W., and I.Z. developed the study concept. D.H. and I.Z. performed the data analyses. D.H. drafted the paper and S.R., L.W., and I.Z. provided critical revisions. All authors approved the final version of the paper for submission.