¡No me duele cuando me deprimo!: An Examination of Ethnic Differences in Depression Symptoms Among Latinx and Non-Latinx Primary Care Patients

IRT analysis of the BDI-II for early online depression detection: validation in a Mexican population

Introduction

Identifying factors associated with depression is crucial to addressing the global rise in mental health needs. The Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) has shown robustness in assessing depression, even in digital contexts. However, psychometric evidence is essential to support its use in online self-diagnosis, particularly in regions where it has not been widely employed for this purpose.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BDI-II for online self-diagnosis among Mexican adults.

Method

Data from 58,456 medical records were analysed using Item Response Theory (IRT).

Results

A good fit was found for a hierarchical confirmatory model with 1 s-order factor (overall severity) and two first-order factors (cognitive and somatic symptoms), as well as optimal accuracy estimates in both the IRT and the Classical Test Theory (CTT).

Discussion

These findings support the use of the BDI-II as a reliable online screening tool for depression in self-diagnosis settings for Mexican adults.

¡Yo no Estoy Loca! A Behavioral Health Telenovela Style Entertainment Education Video: Increasing Mental Health Literacy Among Latinas

Lack of knowledge and negative attitudes towards mental health is linked to low utilization of services among Latinxs. Entertainment-education videos have been effective at increasing literacy and reducing stigma across different health domains but Latinxs have not been a focus of research. We developed an E-E video aimed at reducing stigma and increasing mental health literacy. Focus groups (N = 28) and expert consultants (N = 2) were used to aid in the development of the video. After the video was developed, we conducted a randomized control trial (RCT) in which Latina participants (N = 111) were assigned to view the video or receive an informational brochure. Results indicated that participants in the video intervention condition experienced statistically significant increases in mental health literacy as compared to the participants in the flyer condition and that both the video and the flyer contributed to shifts in stigma.