A culturally relevant conceptualization of depression: an empirical examination of the factorial structure of the Vietnamese Depression Scale.
BACKGROUND
Despite the high risk of depression among Vietnamese refugees, there has been insufficient attention to the psychometric properties of the most utilized scale, the Vietnamese Depression Scale (VDS: Kinzie et al., 1982).


OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of the study is to empirically derive the factorial structure of the VDS to support its use as a culturally responsive depression screening tool in community samples of Vietnamese adults.


METHODS
The factorial structure, reliability, and associations of the VDS factors with recognized socio-demographic correlates were examined using data collected from interviews with a non-probability community sample of 180 Vietnamese refugee adults in the Houston area.


RESULTS
The empirically derived factorial structure of the VDS approximated the theorized conceptualization of depression introduced by the scale's originators. Three factors (depressed affect, somatic symptoms, and cultural-specific symptoms) accounted for 65% of the variance. As hypothesized, the VDS factors correlated with age and acculturation variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall results suggest that the conceptualization of depression among this sample of Vietnamese refugees has both universal and culturally specific features. Implications for providing culturally responsive mental health services are offered.
Dinh
Tam Q
TQ
School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. tamdinh@usc.edu
Yamada
Ann Marie
AM
Yee
Barbara W K
BW
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013781:Texas; D014744:Vietnam / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult