Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry

Objectives : The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is one of the most widely used self-report measures of depression in both research and clinical practice. The Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II) is the most recent version of the BDI. Validity of the BDI-II has been documented in other countries. This study examined the factor structure of the Korean version of BDI-II in a large sample of university students.

Method : Data were obtained from 2,529 students of Kongju National University. The factor structures of the Korean version of BDI-II were assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.

Results : A high level of internal consistency and reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.91) and item homogeneity was confirmed. Exploratory factor analysis showed a two-factor structure (cognitive and somatic-affective), which was almost identical to the original model demonstrated by Beck et al. The following confirmatory factor analysis also supported the two-factor structure (cognitive and somatic-affective) is a better fit than the other two-factor structure (cognitive-affective and somatic). The higher mean score for women compared to men is consistent with the results of previous reports.

Conclusion : These data support the reliability and concurrent validity of the Korean version of BDI-II as a measure of depressive symptoms in nonclinical samples.

Keywords Beck Depression Inventory-II;Depression;Validation;Factor structure.