Differential item functioning in a Spanish translation of the Beck Depression Inventory Article

Azocar, F, Areán, P, Miranda, J et al. (2001). Differential item functioning in a Spanish translation of the Beck Depression Inventory . JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, 57(3), 355-365. 10.1002/jclp.1017

cited authors

  • Azocar, F; Areán, P; Miranda, J; Muñoz, RF

authors

abstract

  • Brief and culturally compatible measures of depression are necessary, yet most depression scales are translated without regard for cultural biases. In this study. 292 medical outpatients completed an English or a Spanish-translated and back-translated version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BDI items were analyzed for bias between Spanish and English-speaking patients to determine the equivalence of the scale. A Differential Item Function (DIF) using a Mantel Haenszel Approach for Ordered Response Categories was used to analyze how likely subjects in the two ethnic groups were to endorse each response category. The results suggest that regardless of level of depression. Latinos are more likely to endorse items reflecting tearfulness and punishment, and less likely to endorse inability to work. Cultural interpretations and recommendations for use of the BDI are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons Inc.

publication date

  • March 19, 2001

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 355

end page

  • 365

volume

  • 57

issue

  • 3