Screening for Depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) in Military Caregivers

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) in a sample of military family caregivers (MFCs). Participants included 124 MFCs who completed the baseline and three-month follow-up assessments of an educational intervention. This study describes the PHQ-2, GAD-7, PHQ-15, relationship assessment scale, and WHO-BREF. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity of the PHQ-2 were assessed. Internal consistency was good (Cronbach’s α = .86). Test-retest reliability at three-month follow-up was good (intraclass correlation = .84). Bivariate analyses revealed positive and significant correlations between depression (M = 2.22, SD = 1.69) and somatic symptoms (M = 10.09, SD =5.50; r = .63, p <.001) and anxiety (M = 9.00, SD =5.90; r = .78, p <.001) supporting convergent validity. Moreover, bivariate analyses further revealed negative and significant correlations between depression and relationship satisfaction (M = 3.57, SD =.57; r = -.33, p <.001), physical health quality of life (M = 13.46, SD =2.94; r = -.56, p <.001), psychological quality of life (M = 12.00, SD =3.12; r = -.64, p <.001), social relationships quality of life (M = 11.24, SD =3.58; r = -.58, p <.001), and environmental quality of life (M = 13.22, SD=2.87; r = -.25, p <.01), further supporting convergent validity. These results highlight the psychometrics and utility of the PHQ-2 for researchers, clinicians, and practitioners working with MFCs interested in quickly assessing depression. This study contributes to the existing literature on psychometric properties of the PHQ-2 specifically in the context of MFCs.