Development and preliminary validation of a short form of the Beck Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI-Y) in a sample of adolescent cancer survivors.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to analyze adolescent cancer survivors' responses to the Beck Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI-Y) to determine if a short form of the measure could be developed that would accurately identify survivors with clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Two hundred two adolescent survivors (mean age = 15.39 years, SD = 1.93) completed the BDI-Y at a single time point and were divided into two groups: a derivation sample (n = 105) and a replication sample (n = 97). Based on correlations with the total BDI-Y score in the derivation sample, items were selected for inclusion in three potential short forms, with 6, 8, and 11 items, respectively. These short forms were then evaluated against the full BDI-Y scale first in the derivation sample and subsequently in the replication sample (n = 97).

RESULTS

Each of the three short forms had high correlations with the total BDI-Y scale (r > 0.95), good internal consistency (α > 0.80), and good overall discrimination compared to a standard BDI-Y cutoff score (AUC > 0.90). The eight-item short form demonstrated notable consistency across the derivation and replication samples, with high sensitivity and specificity using a cutoff score of ≥5, making it a promising tool for clinical screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Abbreviated versions of the BDI-Y can accurately detect depression in adolescent cancer survivors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

An eight-item short form demonstrates strong psychometric properties and potential for use as a screening measure in this population, while the 6- and 11-item short forms may be suited to other applications.