Limited validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in dementia: evidence from a confirmatory factor analysis

作者：Stott Joshua^*; Spector Aimee; Orrell Martin; Scior Katrina; Sweeney Joanne; Charlesworth Georgina

来源：International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2017, 32(7): 805-813.

DOI：10.1002/gps.4530

• HADS
• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
• validity
• dementia
• factor analysis

ObjectivesThe Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a well-validated, self-report measure of both anxiety and depression. It is frequently used with people with dementia. However, its structural validity has never been examined in this population. The current study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess this.
MethodsBaseline data from two intervention studies for people with mild to moderate dementia were combined (N=268). CFA was used to test whether a one, two or three factor structure best fit the data. Indices of model misspecification were examined to test for poor quality items, and models re-specified accordingly. Finally, measurement invariance across gender and different levels of cognitive impairment was assessed.
ResultsA one-factor structure did not fit the data. Two and three factor structures fitted the data equally well. Model fit was improved by removal of two items. Measurement invariance was adequate across gender, but poor across groups with differing levels of cognitive impairment.
ConclusionThe HADS is acceptable and feasible but difficult to interpret in a dementia population. We suggest that it should be interpreted as measuring two separate factors of anxiety and depression and not one distress' factor. However, two items may need to be removed, affecting cut-off scores. Poor measurement invariance means the HADS may not be a good tool for measuring differences in anxiety and depression between those with mild and those with moderate cognitive impairment.

• 出版日期2017-7