scholarly journals Mixed-Method Evaluation of the Public Health Questionnaire for Estimating Depression Among Tibetan Buddhist Monastics

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Mascaro ◽  
Danielle Shellman ◽  
Wesley A. Keaton ◽  
Madison Willson ◽  
Erin Brauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Depression Screening ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Interviews ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Patient Health

Background: Depression is the largest source of global medical disability, highlighting the importance of translating and validating depression screening instruments to improve our understanding of differences in the prevalence of depression in divergent cultures around the world. The aim of this study was to translate and evaluate a widely used depression screening and diagnostic instrument, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), for use with Tibetan populations. A secondary aim was to use the Tibetan-PHQ-9 (T-PHQ-9) to estimate the prevalence of depression symptoms in a population of Tibetan-speaking Buddhist monastic scholars engaging in a 6-year science curriculum in India, the Emory Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI).Methods: Three-hundred-eighty-four monastics (363 monks, 21 nuns) completed the T-PHQ-9. We computed measures of internal consistency and conducted factor analysis to evaluate scale performance. Following this, we evaluated the prevalence of depressive symptoms among the monastic population. We also conducted cognitive interviews with six monastics to explore their thought processes when completing the instrument and when thinking about depression symptoms.Results: The T-PHQ-9 had acceptable reliability and demonstrated a single-factor structure. While having low energy was the most commonly endorsed symptom, monastics did not have overall higher endorsement rates of other somatic symptoms when compared with endorsement rates of emotional symptoms. Over 10% of the monastics scored in the moderately severe to severe range and met criteria for major depressive disorder using standard diagnostic criteria cut-offs. First year monks had the highest mean score, and there was not a significant difference between monks and nuns. Cognitive interviews revealed some variation in the cognitive processes used to complete the instrument, particularly with symptoms related to energy and concentration.Conclusion: These preliminary findings indicate that the Tibetan PHQ-9 is a reliable instrument for assessing depressive symptoms, as evidenced by its ability to inform how symptoms are experienced, interpreted, and communicated among Buddhist monastics. Results from the cognitive interviews may be important for further refining the instrument.

scholarly journals Prevalence of depression symptoms among Tibetan Buddhist monastic science scholars in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Mascaro ◽  
Danielle Shellman ◽  
Tsondue Samphel ◽  
Hope Chang ◽  
Joel Zivot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depression Screening ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
First Year ◽  
Tibetan Buddhist ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Reliable Instrument ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Acceptable Reliability ◽  
Translation And Validation

Abstract Background Depression is the largest contributing factor to global disability, and the translation and validation of depression screening instruments is vital toward understanding the prevalence of depression symptoms around the world. The aim of this study was to translate a widely used depression screening instrument, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), for use with Tibetan populations, and to explore the prevalence of depression symptoms in a population of Tibetan-speaking Buddhist monastic science scholars. Methods A total of 384 monastics (363 monks, 21 nuns) completed the Tibetan PHQ-9. We computed measures of internal consistency and conducted factor analysis to evaluate scale performance, and describe the prevalence of depression symptoms among the monastic population and subgroups. Results The Tibetan PHQ-9 had acceptable reliability and demonstrated a single-factor structure. While having low energy was the most commonly endorsed symptom, monastics did not have overall higher rates of other somatic symptoms. Over 10% of the monastics scored in the moderately severe to severe range, using standard diagnostic criteria cut-offs. First year monks had the highest mean score, and there was not a significant difference between monks and nuns. Conclusion These preliminary findings indicate that the Tibetan PHQ-9 is a reliable instrument for exploring and assessing depression symptoms and that it will be useful toward examining how symptoms are experience, interpreted, and communicated among Buddhist monastics.

scholarly journals The reliability and validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and PHQ-2 in patients with infertility

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saman Maroufizadeh ◽  
Reza Omani-Samani ◽  
Amir Almasi-Hashiani ◽  
Payam Amini ◽  
Mahdi Sepidarkish
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Patient Health Questionnaire ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Patient Health

Abstract Background Depression in patients with infertility often goes undiagnosed and untreated. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and its ultra-brief version (i.e. PHQ-2) are widely used measures of depressive symptoms. These scales have not been validated in patients with infertility. The aim of the present study was to examine the reliability and validity of the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 in patients with infertility. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a total of 539 patients with infertility from a referral infertility clinic in Tehran, Iran completed the PHQ-9, along with other relevant scales: the WHO-five Well-being Index (WHO-5), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Factor structure and internal consistency of PHQ-9 were examined via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. Convergent validity was evaluated by relationship with WHO-5, HADS and GAD-7. Results The mean total PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 scores were 8.47 ± 6.17 and 2.42 ± 1.86, respectively, and using a cut-off value of 10 (for PHQ-9) and 3 (for PHQ-2), the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 38.6 and 43.6%, respectively. The Cronbach’s alphas for PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 were, respectively, 0.851 and 0.767, indicating good internal consistency. The CFA results confirmed the one-factor model of the PHQ-9 (χ2/df = 4.29; CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.078 and SRMR = 0.044). Both PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 showed moderate to strong correlation with the measures of WHO-5, HADS-depression, HADS-anxiety, and the GAD-7, confirming convergent validity. In univariate analysis, female sex, long infertility duration, and unsuccessful treatment were significantly associated with depression symptoms. Conclusion Both PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 are brief and easy to use measures of depressive symptoms with good psychometric properties that appear suitable for routine use in patients with infertility.

scholarly journals Screening for Depression in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors: Outcomes from Use of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A Ganz ◽  
Julienne E Bower ◽  
Ann H Partridge ◽  
Antonio C Wolff ◽  
Elissa D Thorner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Depression Screening ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Patient Health

Abstract Background Major cancer organizations recommend depression screening in patients and survivors. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is often suggested, with limited information about its use. Methods Enrollment data collected from younger breast cancer survivors participating in a behavioral intervention trial were used to examine the relationship between PHQ-9 scores (range = 0-27), patient characteristics and responses to standardized psychosocial assessment tools. Major depressive disorder criterion was met if responses to the first two PHQ-9 items (range = 0-6) were >3. The sample was categorized by total PHQ-9 scores: <5 (minimal depressive symptoms), 5-9 (mild to moderate depressive symptoms) and >10 (moderate to severe depression). PHQ-9 category associations with medical, demographic, psychosocial and behavioral characteristics were examined using ANOVA for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Results 231 women met the study pre-screening eligibility criterion of mild depressive symptoms and enrolled in the study. On average, they were 45.2 years old and 2.6 years since diagnosis. At enrollment, 22.1% met the screening criterion for possible major depressive disorder; among those with PHQ-9 scores >10, 58.3% met this criterion. Anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, and intrusive thoughts about cancer were frequent and were associated with depressive symptom severity (all Ps <.001). In contrast, neither demographic nor cancer treatment characteristics were associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions Depressive symptoms in this selected sample of younger breast cancer survivors were independent of demographic characteristics or cancer treatment history, suggesting that depression screening is necessary to detect uncontrolled depressive symptoms.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Depression among 6–15 Years of Age

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Harshindar Kaur ◽  
Sukhmani Kaur ◽  
Tejvir Singh Shimar ◽  
Devina Singh
Keyword(s):  
Family Type ◽  
Patient Health Questionnaire ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Group 6 ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
The Difference

Background: Aim: To assess cases of depression in children. Methods:Eighty- nine children age ranged 6-15 years of either gender were included. The level of depression among children was determined with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).Results:Age group 6-10 years had 24, 10-12 years had 30 and 12-15 years had 35 children. Boys were 55 and girls were 34. Residence was urban in 39 and rural in 50. Family type was joint in 52 and nuclear in 37. A significant difference was observed (P< 0.05). 35% not at all felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, 52% not at all felt down depressed, 46% not at all felt trouble falling or staying asleep, 34% not at all felt tired, 60% not at all felt bad about yourself, 68% not at all felt trouble concentrating on things, 70% not at all felt moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed, 82% not at all felt thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in the some way. Level of depression was not at all in 12%, minimal in 35%, mild in 42%, moderate in 10% and severe in 1%. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).Conclusions:Most of the children had mild and minimal depression. Most of the children had feeling tired.

scholarly journals The perk of writing: How expressive writing reduces depressive symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 942
Author(s):  
Efendy Xu ◽  
Tara Yen Siang Tan ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Chen Sung Wong ◽  
KamYan Chong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Positive Writing

<span lang="EN-MY">This study aimed to examine types of expressive writing and the underlying themes that will lead to the reduction of depression symptoms. We hypothesized that positive experience writing will significantly reduce depressive symptoms as compared to other types of expressive writing. This study recruited 45 young adults (17 men, 28 women) between 20 and 28 years old to perform online expressive writing for a four-week period and fill in the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) before and after the treatment. Our findings suggested that positive expressive writing led to a significantly greater reduction of depressive symptoms as compared to other types of expressive writing. The qualitative analysis showed that there are eight common themes in positive writing that might contribute to the reduction of symptoms: companionship, mattering, gratitude, positive emotions, energetic, motivation, relaxation, and delicious food. Limitations and implications of the findings are discussed.</span>

scholarly journals Validation and calibration of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) in Argentina

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Urtasun ◽  
Federico Manuel Daray ◽  
Germán Leandro Teti ◽  
Fernando Coppolillo ◽  
Gabriela Herlax ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Patient Health Questionnaire ◽  
Receiver Operating Curve ◽  
Local Version ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Good Ability ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Severity Of Depression ◽  
Degrees Of Severity

Abstract Background The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a brief tool to assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. This study aimed to validate and calibrate the PHQ-9 to determine appropriate cut-off points for different degrees of severity of depression in Argentina. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on an intentional sample of adult ambulatory care patients with different degrees of severity of depression. All patients who completed the PHQ-9 were further interviewed by a trained clinician with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Reliability and validity tests, including receiver operating curve analysis, were performed. Results One hundred sixty-nine patients were recruited with a mean age of 47.4 years (SD = 14.8), of whom 102 were females (60.4%). The local PHQ-9 had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.87) and satisfactory convergent validity with the BDI-II scale [Pearson’s correlation = 0.88 (p < 0.01)]. For the diagnosis of Major Depressive Episode (MDE) according to the MINI, a PHQ-9 ≥ 8 was the optimal cut-off point found (sensitivity 88.2%, specificity 86.6%, PPV 90.91%). The local version of PHQ-9 showed good ability to discriminate among depression severity categories according to the BDI-II scale. The best cut off points were 6–8 for mild cases, 9–14 for moderate and 15 or more for severe depressive symptoms respectively. Conclusions The Argentine version of the PHQ-9 questionnaire has shown acceptable validity and reliability for both screening and severity assessment of depressive symptoms.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document