title: Facet theoretic analysis of the Hamilton-D scale.
abstract: The items of the HAM-D(17-item version) were analyzed by a nonmetric (ordinal) multi-dimensional scaling procedure (Smallest Space Analysis, SSA-I) and the structure of the test items characterized within the framework of Guttman's facet theory. Two systematic components (facets) were discerned: 'centrality' and 'aspect'. Properties of the facets as well as their relations were assessed and examined empirically by analyzing the inter-relations among different items. The spatial configurations obtained by the scaling procedure were found only partially to fit the expectations derived from the facet-theory model. The facet 'centrality' was found to have a strong overriding influence over the 'aspect' facet. The results suggest the value of a new combination and selection of items reflecting different facets of depression consistently over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Aachen, FRG.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Steinmeyer
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Möller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D017374:Paroxetine; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D000639:Amitriptyline; D017374:Paroxetine