ERIC Number: EJ1445406
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Nov
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: N/A
Measuring Depression and Anxiety in Autistic College Students: A Psychometric Evaluation of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7
Mackenzie Robeson; Kyle M. Brasil; Haley C. Adams; Kimberly R. Zlomke
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v28 n11 p2793-2805 2024
Anxiety, depression, and suicidality are major concerns among college students, though less is known about these constructs in autistic college students. Given the rising number of autistic individuals entering post-secondary education, adequate measurement and diagnosis of anxiety, depression, and suicidality is necessary to provide clinical care to this population. While the Generalized Anxiety Disorder--7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire--9 (PHQ-9) are commonly used in university settings, these instruments have not been psychometrically evaluated in autistic college students. The current study examines the differential psychometric properties of the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 utilizing invariance testing via structural equation modeling in a sample of self-identified autistic (n = 477) and non-autistic (n = 429) university students. Results showed that although the GAD-7 is invariant, the PHQ-9 was mostly invariant, with one item displaying non-invariance. Specifically, the PHQ-9 item assessing suicidality was found to be non-invariant at the metric level, indicating that autistic and non-autistic college students interpret this question differently. Future investigators should continue to assess the appropriateness of using common screening measures, originally created for non-autistic people, in autistic populations.
Descriptors: Depression (Psychology), Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Students with Disabilities, College Students, Psychometrics, Test Validity, Test Reliability, Student Characteristics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A