Structure and Function of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Among Latina and Non-Latina White Female College Students

Abstract

This study examines the structure and function of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a depression assessment tool, among a sample of Latina and non-Latina White female college students (N = 16,754). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the structure of the PHQ-9. Multiple group confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine potential construct bias in the PHQ-9 across race/ethnicity. Results of the analyses revealed that a two-factor structure of the PHQ-9, representing affective and somatic dimensions of depression, was the best fit for the data. The multiple group confirmatory factor analysis showed that the identified structure and function of the PHQ-9 did not differ across race/ethnicity. Therefore, the PHQ-9 can be used as a multidimensional assessment of depression among Latina and non-Latina White female college students without concern of a construct bias. These findings have implications for social work practice in areas such as screening, diagnosis, and treatment of depression, particularly among Latina college students who are significantly at-risk of depression. CR - Copyright © 2012 Society for Social Work and Research