title: Psychometric Properties of Responses to an Arabic Version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D6).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Among existing instruments, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale has become the gold standard for assessing depressive symptoms. An Arabic version of this instrument is lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the psychometric properties of responses to an abridged Arabic version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D6).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 125 Bedouin Arabs completed a questionnaire consisting of the HAM-D6 and other Well-Being measures. The HAM-D6 was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses to the HAM-D6 suggest that this instrument measures a unidimensional construct with each of the scales' six items contributing significantly to the measurement. Concurrent validity was established by the scale's negative association with well-being and positive associations with emotional exhaustion and caregiving burden.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that this abridged Arabic version of the HAM-D6 is appropriate for use for evaluating depressive symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Yaacov G. Bachner, PhD, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel bachner@bgu.ac.il.
authors.forename: Yaacov G
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Bachner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014175:Translating; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Arabic; Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; depression; psychometric properties; validity