Measurement Invariance of the Reynolds Depression Adolescent Scale across Gender and Age

The main objective of the present study was to examine measurement invariance of the Reynolds Depression Adolescent Scale (RADS) ( Reynolds, 1987 ) across gender and age in a representative sample of nonclinical adolescents. The sample was composed of 1,659 participants, 801 males (48.3%), with a mean age of 15.9 years (SD = 1.2). Confirmatory factor analysis supported Reynolds' (2002) four-factor model, consisting of the Anhedonia, Somatic Complaints, Negative Self-Evaluation, and Dysphoric Mood dimensions. In addition, the results support the measurement invariance of the RADS across gender and age. When latent means were compared as a function of gender and age, statistically significant differences were found. Females obtained higher scores than males in Somatic Complaints, Negative Self-Evaluation, and Dysphoric Mood. On the other hand, males obtained higher scores in Anhedonia. As a function of age, the 17-19 year olds obtained higher scores than the 14-16 year olds in Dysphoric Mood. The results suggest that the RADS could be used as an efficient self-report to test measurement invariance of depressive symptomatology across gender and age. Future studies should continue to explore measurement invariance across cultures and the incorporation of the latest advances in assessment methods in the clinical field.