Web-based measure of life events using computerized life events and assessment record (CLEAR): Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study of reliability, validity, and association with depression

<strong>Background:</strong> Given the criticisms of life event checklists and the costs associated with interviews, life event research requires a sophisticated but easy-to-use measure for research and clinical practice. Therefore, the Computerized Life Events and Assessment Record (CLE...

ver descrição completa

Detalhes bibliográficos
Principais autores: Bifulco, A, Spence, R, Nunn, S, Kagan, L, Bailey-Rodriguez, D, Hosang, GM, Taylor, M, Fisher, HL
Formato: Journal article
Idioma:English
Publicado em: JMIR Publications 2019
Descrição
Resumo:<strong>Background:</strong> Given the criticisms of life event checklists and the costs associated with interviews, life event research requires a sophisticated but easy-to-use measure for research and clinical practice. Therefore, the Computerized Life Events and Assessment Record (CLEAR), based on the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS), was developed. <br> <strong>Objective:</strong> The objective of our study was to test CLEAR’s reliability, validity, and association with depression. <br> <strong>Methods:</strong> CLEAR, the General Health Questionnaire, and the List of Threatening Experiences Questionnaire (LTE-Q) were completed by 328 participants (126 students; 202 matched midlife sample: 127 unaffected controls, 75 recurrent depression cases). Test-retest reliability over 3-4 weeks was examined and validity determined by comparing CLEAR with LEDS and LTE-Q. Both CLEAR and LTE-Q were examined in relation to depression. <br> <strong>Results:</strong> CLEAR demonstrated good test-retest reliability for the overall number of life events (0.89) and severe life events (.60). Long-term problems showed similar findings. In terms of validity, CLEAR severe life events had moderate sensitivity (59.1%) and specificity (65.4%) when compared with LEDS. CLEAR demonstrated moderate sensitivity (43.1%) and specificity (78.6%) when compared with LTE-Q. CLEAR severe life events and long-term problems were significantly associated with depression (odds ratio, OR 3.50, 95% CI 2.10 to 5.85, P<.001; OR 3.38, 95% CI 2.02 to 5.67, P<.001, respectively), whereas LTE-Q events were not (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.43 to 2.60, P=.90). <br> <strong>Conclusions:</strong> CLEAR has acceptable reliability and validity and predicts depression. It, therefore, has great potential for effective use in research and clinical practice identifying stress-related factors for the onset and maintenance of depression and related disorders.