Factor structure and psychometric properties of the new multidimensional depression scale in a non-clinical sample

ObjectiveThe New Multidimensional Depression Scale (NMDS) is a recently developed scale that measures emotional, cognitive, somatic, and interpersonal symptoms of depression comprehensively. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore factor structure and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the NMDS in a group of community participants. MethodA total of 559 Iranian university students and staff members (including 263 males and 296 females) aged 18-60 years were selected by convenience sampling to complete a battery of tests including the New Multidimensional Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Oxford HappinessInventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Short Form Health Survey. ResultsFactor analysis of the Persian version of the NMDS confirmed its original four-factor structure. Furthermore, the results indicated its satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's ranging from .89 for the somatic subscale to .93 for the cognitive subscale). Additionally, significant positive correlations between the NMDS scores with anxiety and cognitive and somatic-affective symptoms of depression and the significant negative correlations between its scores with happiness, mental health, and physical health indicated convergent and divergent validity of the NMDS, respectively. ConclusionsThese results supported the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the NMDS for the assessment of depression symptoms in non-clinical groups.