Abstract
The utility of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as a screening instrument for coronary care patients following acute myocardial infarction (MI) was investigated. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the HADS to determine its psychometric properties in 335 MI patients over three observation points (1 week, 6 weeks and 6 months). Internal and test-retest reliabilities of the HADS total and HADS sub-scale scores were generally found to be acceptable. The underlying factor structure of the HADS comprised three distinct factors. Support was found for the use of the HADS sub-scales to assess dimensions of anhedonia, psychic anxiety and psychomotor agitation. The HADS may be a useful screening instrument to assess post-MI patients for symptoms of psychological distress. Further research is required to determine the three-factor structure of the HADS in other clinical groups.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 85-94 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Psychiatry Research |
Volume | 120 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Aug 2003 |
Keywords
- Factor structure
- Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
- Myocardial infarction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry