Factor structure of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire does not generalize to an anxious/depressed sample

Authors: Boschen, Mark J.; Oei, Tian P.S.

Source: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 40, Numbers 11-12, November/December 2006 , pp. 1016-1024(9)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

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Abstract:

Objective:

The tripartite model of anxiety and depression has been proposed as a representation of the structure of anxiety and depression symptoms. The Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ) has been put forwards as a valid measure of the tripartite model of anxiety and depression symptoms. This research set out to examine the factor structure of anxiety and depression symptoms in a clinical sample to assess the MASQ's validity for use in this population. Method:

The present study uses confirmatory factor analytic methods to examine the psychometric properties of the MASQ in 470 outpatients with anxiety and mood disorder. Results:

The results showed that none of the previously reported two-factor, three-factor or five-factor models adequately fit the data, irrespective of whether items or subscales were used as the unit of analysis. Conclusion:

It was concluded that the factor structure of the MASQ in a mixed anxiety/depression clinical sample does not support a structure consistent with the tripartite model. This suggests that researchers using the MASQ with anxious/depressed individuals should be mindful of the instrument's psychometric limitations.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; tripartite model

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1614.2006.01926.x

Publication date: 2006-11-01