Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS): Reliability, Internal Structure and other Evidence of Validity in Bogot

Introduction/Objective: The BADS measures processes of change in Behavioral Activation such as activation and avoidance behaviors, as well as deterioration in areas of functioning. The objective was to estimate its psychometric properties in a sample of adults. Method: Within an instrumental study framework, information was collected from a non-probabilistic sample from Bogota (n=321). Results: An adequate fit was found in a version of 24 items with 4 factors and one of second order through the CFA, which are invariant with respect to sex. It showed a high internal consistency (alpha=.92; omega=.929), a negative correlation of high magnitude with the Zung SDS (r=-.728; p<.05), and a lower mean in the group with a clinical indicator (t(66)=6.180, p<.001, d=1.499). Conclusions: The use of the BADS 24 is recommended to measure behavioral activation, avoidance, and daily affectations in adults due to its adequate psychometric properties.