FACTOR STRUCTURE OF THE BECK DEPRESSION I NVENTORY

The present study sets out to analyze the factorial structure of the B eck Depression Inventory (BDI). Our interest tourses on tow problems: (i) instead of structures with a higner number of factors, a three fac tor structure was replicated, and (ii) a general depression factor see ms to exist at second order level. It is employed for this so much con firmatory methodology as exploratory methodology. After the factoring of 393 undergraduate protocols a solution is obtained from six factors . This, together with both one-factor and three-factor models, is test ed through confirmatory factor analysis. The three-factors solutions a nd that of six factors reach a reasonable adjustment, the latter being greater. Both types of solutions seem equally accountable by a genera l depression factor. Results are discussed according with the relation ship to the nature of the sample and to theoretical considerations on depression.