Race, ethnicity, and depression: A confirmatory analysis.

Abstract

Investigated whether depressive-symptom scales are equally indicative of depression in different racial/ethnic groups and whether there are mean differences between the groups in the underlying depressive disorder assessed by these scales. Interviews were obtained from a large community survey of depression in Los Angeles County, California, (N = 909). Four racial/ethnic groups were considered: Anglos, Blacks, English-speaking Hispanics, and Spanish-speaking Hispanics. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test both 1- and 2-factor models of depression. An invariant factor pattern was demonstrated. No significant mean differences on a factor of Depression were found, but the groups differed on a Well-Being factor. Implications for survey research on psychiatric impairment among different racial/ethnic groups are discussed. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)