Factor Structure of the Parent-Report Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) in an Outpatient Mental Health Sample

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire: a cross-cultural study among Thai and British adolescents

The Mood and Feelings Questionnaire-child self-report (MFQ-C) is a widely used measure of child and adolescent depression. This study evaluated possible factor solutions and examined the measurement invariance of the MFQ-C as a prerequisite for its use in cross-cultural comparisons between Thai (N = 1272) and British samples (N = 1817) by using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA). The latent means of Thai and British samples were also examined. A five-factor structure of the MFQ-C was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis. A partial scalar invariant model was supported, and thus latent means were compared, with British adolescents reporting significantly higher mean MFQ-C scores than Thai adolescents on four of the five factors (Vegetative Symptoms, Suicidality, Cognitive Symptoms, Agitated Distress). There was no difference for the Core Symptoms factor. The findings also suggest that the MFQ-C is a valid measure to assess depression in Thai and British adolescents and maybe useful in cross-cultural comparisons of adolescent depression.

Measurement-Based Care for Depression in Youth: Practical Considerations for Selecting Measures to Assess Depression, Associated Features and Functioning

Identification and management of major depressive disorder (MDD) in children and adolescents remains a significant area of public health need. The process for identifying depression (e.g. screening) and management (e.g. measurement based care [MBC]) is substantially enhanced by utilization of clinical measures and rating scales. Measures can be self- or caregiver reported or clinician rated. They can aid recognition of at-risk individuals for future assessment and assist in clinical diagnosis and management of depression. In addition to assessing symptoms of depression, rating scales can be used to assess important associated features (e.g. anxiety, trauma) and functional outcomes (e.g. quality of life, performance/productivity). In this manuscript, we discuss practical considerations for clinicians and researchers when selecting rating instruments for assessing depression, associated factors, functioning, and treatment outcomes (i.e. adherence and side effects) as part of MBC in youth and provide a summary of rating scales commonly used in research and clinical settings.

Brief Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Depression in Pediatric Primary Care: Breadth of Intervention Impact

OBJECTIVE

To report on broad-based outcomes of the Brief Behavioral Therapy (BBT) trial for pediatric anxiety and depression. Secondary data analyses expand on previous reports by assessing diagnostic remission and independent functioning, impact on targeted psychopathology, and spillover effects on non-targeted outcomes.

METHOD

Youth (N = 185; 8-16.9 years; 58% female; 78% White; 21% Hispanic) with anxiety and/or depression were eligible for this multi-site trial. Enrolled youth were randomly assigned to receive 8 to 12 sessions of BBT in primary care or assisted referral to outpatient care (ARC). Assessments were conducted 16 and 32 weeks post randomization.

RESULTS

BBT was superior to ARC on remission of all targeted diagnoses (week 16: 56.8% vs 28.2%, p < .001; week 32: 62.5% vs 38.9%, p = .004), clinician-rated independent functioning (week 16: 75.0% vs 45.7%, p < .001; week 32: 81.2% vs 55.7%, p < .001), and on measures of anxiety, depression, suicide items, total comorbid behavioral and emotional problems, and hyperactivity (d = 0.21-0.49). Moderation analyses revealed superior outcomes for Hispanic youth in BBT vs ARC for diagnostic remission, anxiety, emotional problems, and parent-child conflict. Youth depression at baseline moderated effects on peer problems and parent-child conflict, with effects favoring BBT. Significant main and moderated effects of BBT on change in non-targeted outcomes were largely mediated by change in anxiety (24.2%-49.3% of total effects mediated).

CONCLUSION

BBT has positive effects on youth, mediated by the strong impact of the intervention on anxiety. Analyses continue to support positive outcomes for Hispanic youth, suggesting that BBT is a broadly effective transdiagnostic treatment option for diverse populations.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Pediatric Anxiety and Depression in Primary Care; https://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01147614.

Psychometric properties of the Sindhi version of the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) in a sample of early adolescents living in rural Pakistan

There is a need for reliable and valid screening tools that assess depressive symptoms in adolescents in Pakistan. To address this need, the present study examined the psychometric properties and factor structure of a Sindhi-translated and adapted version of the child-report Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ-C) and the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ-C) in a community sample of adolescents living in Matiari, Pakistan. Questionnaires were translated into Sindhi and administered by study psychologists to 1350 participants (52.3% female) 9.0 to 15.9 years old. Measurement structure was examined using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was estimated, and convergent and divergent validity were explored using subscales from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders. The unidimensional structure of the MFQ-C was found to be adequate, but a four-factor structure comprising core mood, vegetative, cognitive and agitated distress symptoms best fit the data (CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.05). The original unidimensional structure of the SMFQ-C was supported (CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.07). The MFQ-C and the SMFQ-C respectively showed excellent (α = 0.92) and good internal consistency (α = 0.87) as well as satisfactory construct validity with some differences observed across the MFQ-C subscales. The SMFQ-C and the adapted MFQ-C appear to be reliable and valid measures of depressive symptoms among early adolescents living in rural Pakistan. Both total and subscale scores can be derived from the MFQ-C to assess general and specific dimensions of depressive symptoms in this population.

A latent profile analysis of psychological sense of community and ethnic identity among racial-ethnic minority young adults from the southwestern United States

Among young adults fof color, both sense of community and ethnic identity, as developmental processes, have been associated with wellness, empowerment, and civic action. Additional research is needed that provides empirical support for the connection between psychological sense of community and ethnic identity on outcomes that relate to human development such as intrapersonal psychological empowerment, civic engagement, and depression symptoms. The current study of young adults of color (N = 243; 70% Hispanic/Chicano(a)/Spanish and 10% American Indian/Native American; 70% female) investigates heterogeneity according to dimensions of psychological sense of community and the ethnic identity construct. Latent profile analyses (LPA) were conducted. Using LPA, five profile groups emerged. Profile group differences were present on reported levels of intrapersonal psychological empowerment, civic engagement, and depression symptoms. Majority of sample participants were classified with moderate to high psychological sense of community and ethnic identity. Findings provide insights for efforts on developing community belongingness based on ethnic group identity and engaging young adults in civic life.

Gamma entrainment frequency affects mood, memory and cognition: an exploratory pilot study

Here we provide evidence with an exploratory pilot study that through the use of a Gamma 40 Hz entrainment frequency, mood, memory and cognition can be improved with respect to a 9-participant cohort. Participants constituted towards three binaural entrainment frequency groups: the 40 Hz, 25 Hz and 100 Hz. Participants attended a total of eight entrainment frequency sessions twice over the duration of a 4-week period. Additionally, participants were assessed based on their cognitive abilities, mood as well as memory, where the cognitive and memory assessments occurred before and after a 5-min binaural beat stimulation. The mood assessment scores were collected from sessions 1, 4 and 8, respectively. With respect to the Gamma 40 Hz entrainment frequency population, we observed a mean improvement in cognitive scores, elevating from 75% average to 85% average upon conclusion of the experimentation at weak statistical significance ([Formula: see text] = 0.10, p = 0.076). Similarly, memory score improvements at a greater significance ([Formula: see text] = 0.05, p = 0.0027) were noted, elevating from an average of 87% to 95%. In pertinence to the mood scores, a negative correlation across all populations were noted, inferring an overall increase in mood due to lower scores correlating with elevated mood. Finally, correlation analysis revealed a stronger R[Formula: see text] value (0.9838) within the 40 Hz group between sessions as well as mood score when compared across the entire frequency group cohort.

Spanish Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Parent Version of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ-P) in a Non-Clinical Sample of Young School-Aged Children

The parent version of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ-P) is a brief 13-item tool for the screening of depression in children from the age of 6 years. Despite the wide use of the SMFQ-P, its psychometric properties and factor structure remain understudied, with few data available for young school-aged children. The objective of this study was to examine for the first time the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the SMFQ-P in a non-clinical sample of Spanish-speaking children aged 6-8 years. Participants were 181 children whose parents completed the Spanish-adapted version of the SMFQ-P along with the parent version of other measures of anxiety and general difficulties and positive attributes. The SMFQ-P demonstrated adequate internal consistency (α = .83) and test-retest reliability over an eight-week period (ICC = .80), and good convergent and divergent validity. Factor analysis confirmed the original 13-item model, thus supporting the unidimensionality of the measure in the Spanish sample. Overall, this study provides initial empirical evidence for the utility of the SMFQ-P with Spanish-speaking children from early school ages, and extends the international support of the measure.

Bullying by siblings and peers: Poly-setting victimization and the association with problem behaviours and depression

BACKGROUND

In recent times, sibling bullying has emerged of interest to researchers concerned with the emotional and behavioural implications for victimization regardless of type and setting.

AIMS

This research attempts to extend current knowledge on both peer and sibling bullying and to determine the effects of poly-setting victimization. This paper is concerned with the following objectives: (1) determining the current rate of bullying and victimization among siblings and peers in a large sample of adolescents; (2) investigating the relationship between sibling and peer bullying and depression and behaviour; (3) highlighting the carry-over effects of bullying from one setting to another; and (4) determining the overall association of poly-setting victimization with depression and behaviour.

SAMPLE AND METHODS

Over 2,000 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years participated in an online survey.

RESULTS

Results found lower rates of sibling bullying compared to international studies. Sibling victims of bullying were at increased risk of becoming peer victims. Poor friendship quality, disliking school, along with peer and sibling bullying involvement predicted scores in the clinical range for outcome measures of internalizing and externalizing problem.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study has clinical and educational implications for working with all important stakeholders (i.e., schools, parents, siblings) to reduce bullying and improve mental health.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation into Brazilian Portuguese of the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) – Long Version

Abstract Introduction Major depressive disorder (MDD) is prevalent among young people, with a high incidence during adolescence. It is, therefore, important to have reliable instruments to capture the construct of depression in this population. The objective of the present work is to describe the process of translation and cultural adaptation of the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) – Long Version, into Brazilian Portuguese. Method We followed the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines for translation and cultural adaptation, including the steps of preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation, back-translation review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing, review of cognitive debriefing results and finalization, proofreading and final report. Cognitive debriefing was conducted in a sample of adolescent patients and their respective caregivers at mental health clinics affiliated with the Brazilian public health system. Results Results suggest that the items were well understood and that the MFQ seems to be an appropriate instrument for use with Brazilian adolescents and caregivers. Conclusions The Brazilian Portuguese MFQ – Long Version constitutes an adequate tool for the assessment of depression among adolescents. Future studies are required to evaluate psychometric properties of the instrument.