Use of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) with persons with traumatic brain injury: analysis of factorial structure

Abstract

Primary objective: To determine the factorial structure of the BDI-II in a TBI sample and possible predictor variables of depression following TBI.

Research design: Principle components analysis with orthogonal rotation and linear regression analyses.

Methods and procedures: Fifty-one individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) participated in this study. The factorial structure of the BDI-II, a 21-item self-report measure of depression, was examined with individuals in the early stages following TBI. Time since injury, severity of injury, location of lesion and previous substance abuse were examined as possible predictors of depression following TBI.

Results: A three-factor structure of the BDI-II was found for the TBI sample, which included Negative Self-Evaluation, Symptoms of Depression and Vegetative Symptoms of Depression. Time since injury was the only significant predictor of depression following TBI.

Conclusion: Using the BDI-II, symptoms of depression after TBI fall into three key categories. With time since injury being the only significant predictor of depression following TBI, it appears that the depression could be more of a result of psychosocial factors than neurobiological factors. It was concluded that BDI-II can be useful in identifying symptoms of depression in the early stages following TBI.