[Physical anhedonia and depression: distinct concepts? Study of the construct validity of these dimensions in a group of 224 normal subjects].

The aim of the study was to precise the relationship between physical anhedonia and depression in healthy subjects. The construct validity of these two dimensions were determined using a principal components analysis. 224 normal subjects were recruited for the study. They filled out the abrigded version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and a physical pleasure scale (Fawcett Clark Pleasure Capacity Scale--FCPCS-PP). A principal components analyses following by a varimax rotation was done. The correlation matrix comprising items from both the BDI and the FCPCS-PP yielded a three-factor solution (two "pleasure" factors and one "depression factor") with no overlap of the significant factor loading for the items from each scale. The findings support the view that physical anhedonia is a construct that is distinct and separate from depression.