B - 7 Factor Structure of the Beck Depression Inventory-II in Epilepsy.

This article focuses on examining the factor structure of the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II), in persons with epilepsy (PWE). Using retrospective data from 69 adults with epilepsy at a specialized epilepsy center, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted to assess whether the BDI-II’s cognitive and somatic-affective factors, validated in other populations, apply similarly to PWE. Results indicated strongest statistical support for a one-factor solution, though a two-factor solution—highlighting a second factor related to sadness, feelings of punishment, and suicidal thoughts—was also considered potentially clinically relevant due to the elevated suicide risk in this population. The study suggests that while a single-factor model best fits the data, attention to specific depressive symptoms may be important in clinical assessment of depression in epilepsy.