Psychometric properties of the Behavior Activation for Depression Scale ( BADS) in a Mexican sample

The aim of this work was to assess the psychometric properties of the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) in a sample of Mexican university students. To this end, the scale was applied to 381 students of a private university. The results showed that, compared to both the original version in English and the Spanish adaptation developed in Spain, it is a valid and consistent scale. The dimensions of the original instrument were replicated in the confirmatory factor analysis. Criterion and discriminant validity was contrasted by means of correlations with the BDI-II, which yielded scores according to what was expected both for the total scale and for the different dimensions. An ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that BDI-II cut-off scores (minimal, mild, moderate, and severe depression) adequately predict BADS scores. Regarding the internal consistency, this sample reached a Cronbach's alpha of .89 for the total scale and from .77 to .85 for its dimensions.