Measuring self-critical and interpersonal preoccupations in an adolescent inpatient sample.

Abstract

The validity of the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire-Adolescent version (DEQ-A, S. in an inpatient sample (N = 823; 414 girls) was examined. Specific hypotheses addressed the distinctiveness, concurrent validity, state vs. trait properties, and predictive validity of the Interpersonal and Self-Criticism scales. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) showed that observed responses to a subset of items (the most discriminating of the 2 scales in the original solution) better fit a model positing separate Interpersonal and Self-Criticism factors, than one positing 1 Dysphoric Concerns factor. Cross-sectional analyses relating unit-weight Interpersonal and Self-Critical scales, developed from the CFA results, to Personality and Depressive Symptom factors supported the scales' concurrent validity. Also, analyses using data from 92 patients collected at 2 or 3 times during the hospital stay showed that the underlying constructs assessed by these scales have both state and trait properties and that antecedent measures of self-criticism can predict later measures of depression.Growing concern about the prevalence of adolescent depression has spurred efforts to identify and measure variables that make certain youth prone to hopelessness and dysphoria (Petersen et al., 1993). One promising approach, based on research with adults, distinguishes preoccupations with relatedness from preoccupations with individuality and self-definition as a way of identifying two distinct types of depression (e.g., Blatt, Quinlan, & Chevron, 1990;Robins & Luten, 1991). This study examines the validity of the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire-Adolescent version (DEQ-A; Blatt, Schaffer, Bers, & Quinlan, 1992), recently developed from an adult instrument to study these two types of depression in adolescents.The DEQ-A and its parent measure (the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire [DEQ], Blatt, D 'Afflitti, & Quinlan, 1976) assess two dimensions of presumably depressogenic concerns that Blatt and his colleagues denoted as Interpersonal (defined by fears of abandonment and anxieties over the potential loss of gratifying, protective relationships) and Self-Critical (fueled

Self‐criticism, dependency, and adolescents' externalising and internalising problems

“…The relative independence of the three factors in the DEQ-A is consistent with findings in several earlier studies (e g., Luthar & Blatt, 1993;Shahar, Blatt, Zuroff, Kuperminc, & Leadbeater, 2004;Zuroff, Igreja, & Mongrain 1990). In addition, DEQ-A dependency and self-criticism correlated in the expected way with the CDI, consistently with previous studies (e.g., Campos, 2009;Frank et al, 1997;Klein, 1989;.…”

“…Twenty‐three items remained the same, but the other 43 items were modified to capture experiences relevant to adolescents. Several factor analyses indicate that the same three factors emerge from the DEQ‐A and several studies support the construct validity of the DEQ‐A (e.g., Blatt et al., ; Blatt, Zohar, Quinlan, Luthar, & Hart, ; Fichman, Koestner, & Zuroff, ; Frank et al., ; Klomek et al., ; Kuperminc, Blatt, & Leadbeater, ; Luthar & Blatt, ; Shahar, Blatt, Zuroff, Kuperminc, & Leadbeater, ; Shahar, Gallagher, Blatt, Kuperminc, & Leadbeater, ; Shahar, Henrich, Blatt, Ryan, & Little, ; Shahar, Henrich, Winokur, Blatt, Kuperminc, & Leadbeater, ). The DEQ‐A is suitable to be used with ages between 12 and 18.…”

The Relations between Perfectionism and Suicidality: A Systematic Review

“…Although the majority of studies employed one of the recognized perfectionism scales, comparison across studies was hindered because some authors chose to exclude some subscales due to administration constraints (e.g., Dean et al, 1996), or they chose to conduct analyses using an aggregate score for perfectionism (e.g., Chang, 2002). One resolution of this issue would be to further develop briefer versions of the scales (e.g., Enns et al, 2003; Frank et al, 1997).…”

Conceptualizing and Measuring Personality Vulnerability to Depression: Comment on Coyne and Whiffen (1995).

“…We found several additional studies that have appeared since then. Of six studies using the DEQ, two suggested that Dependency decreases as depression remits (Klein et al, 1988; Rector et al, 2000) and four did not find evidence for mean change in Dependency (Bagby, Schuller, et al, 1994; Franche & Dobson, 1992; Frank et al, 1997; Rosenfarb, Becker, Khan, & Mintz, 1998). Conversely, four of these six studies suggested that Self-Criticism decreases as depression remits (Bagby, Schuller, et al, 1994; Frank et al, 1997; Rector et al, 2000; Rosenfarb et al, 1998).…”

“…Of six studies using the DEQ, two suggested that Dependency decreases as depression remits (Klein et al, 1988; Rector et al, 2000) and four did not find evidence for mean change in Dependency (Bagby, Schuller, et al, 1994; Franche & Dobson, 1992; Frank et al, 1997; Rosenfarb, Becker, Khan, & Mintz, 1998). Conversely, four of these six studies suggested that Self-Criticism decreases as depression remits (Bagby, Schuller, et al, 1994; Frank et al, 1997; Rector et al, 2000; Rosenfarb et al, 1998). Four of the studies included comparison data from nondepressed controls (Bagby, Schuller, et al, 1994; Franche & Dobson, 1992; Klein et al, 1988; Rosenfarb et al, 1998).…”