Beck depression inventory, second edition, Czech version: demographic correlates, factor structure and comparison with foreign data

Abstract

Objective

We aimed to examine whether demographic characteristics (i.e., sex, age and education) correlate with total scores of the Czech version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), understand the factorial structure of this scale, compare our results with findings of studies conducted in other countries and provide preliminary normative data for use in clinical practice.

Methods

Data of 450 participants were analysed using correlation analysis, non-parametric tests and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results

Women, and participants with lower education, tended to score higher than men, and participants with higher education. There was no significant relationship between age and total scores. CFA confirmed two factors: cognitive-affective and somatic. Czech participants scored lower than participants in other studies. Preliminary normative data are presented in the form of percentile values for the whole sample and stratified according to gender and education level.

Conclusions

We recommend the usage of the BDI-II total score while taking into account also the cognitive-affective and somatic factor subscores. The comparison of our results with other foreign findings shows the need for the development of locally specific normative values for self-reported depression scales.

KEY POINTS

• Women scored higher in the BDI-II than men.

• Participants with lower education scored higher in the BDI-II than participants with higher education.

• CFA confirmed two factors: cognitive-affective and somatic.

• Preliminary normative data for the Czech version of the BDI-II are stratified according to gender and education.

Keywords:

• Depression
• Beck Depression Inventory
• confirmatory factor analysis
• factorial structure
• normative data

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Prague College of Psychosocial Studies for support regarding the place for the organisation of the study and personal resources. The authors would like to thank for help with data collection to following students: Barboričová Sandra, Bystroňová Tereza, Čížková Jana, Galušková Karolína, Giunta Veronika, Havlík Filip, Hejlová Kristýna, Heřmánková Tereza, Holáreková Michaela, Holečková Hellen, Horák Jaroslav, Jančovičová Markéta, Juhaňák Jan, Kochová Kateřina, Kosová Jana, Kráčmarová Lucie, Kuldová Kateřina, Landa Vojtěch, Lojková Jiřina, Mýtina Ondřej, Plechač Vít, Popova Alina, Samková Nikola, Soósová Nina, Součková Markéta, Staníčková Anna, Šimůnková Nina, Šteklová Kateřina, Švejnohová Iveta, Tulachová Karolína, Vašatová Veronika, Veverková Martina, Vintoniv Roksana, Vovsová Lucie, Wagner Daniel, Zborník Tadeáš Samuel, Zika Věra, Zoubek Martin.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (GA CR) (“Cognitive Predictors of Neurodegeneration,” Grant Nr. 16-01781S and “Emotional Creativity and Cognitive Decline in the Elderly”, Grant Nr. 18-26094S); by Prague College of Psychosocial Studies (Grant Nr. GA PVŠPS č. 18.0619.01); by Charles University, PROGRES Q27, by Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, grant Nr. AZV 17-32445A; and by GA17-09797S (“Method studies for Czech versions of measures of psychological characteristics of adolescents and young adults”).