Validation of Korean Version of Parental Depression Literacy Scale Among Korean American Parents

Aims: This study aimed to validate the Parental Depression Literacy (D-Lit) scale, which was modified from the D-Lit scale based on individual and group interviews and expert reviews. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design was used. KR-20 and inter-rater reliability were examined. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), items of the Korean-language Parental D-Lit scale were categorized into three sub-domains, and these factors were statistically tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Correlational and comparison analysis was conducted. Results: Findings indicated that the Parental D-Lit scale as a whole has moderate reliability and validity among Korean American parents. That is, internal consistency (alpha = 0.72) and content validity (scale-level content validity index = 0.875) were acceptable. Responses to the Parental D-Lit scale indicated that this sample of Korean American parents lacked knowledge and held negative beliefs and misperceptions about depression and its management. EFA resulted in a three-factor model, and CFA showed a close fit to the data (RMSEA = 0.056). Reliability indices indicated that total scale scores are more useful in examining depression literacy than are scores for the subscales, which had relatively low KR-20 values. The results support criterion validity by showing statistically significant correlations in the expected direction between depression literacy and other theoretically related concepts, such as attitudes toward mental healthcare services (+), depression stigma (-), recognition of depression (+), and acculturation (+). Regarding construct validity, Parental D-Lit scale scores showed statistically significant mean differences for depression literacy between parents that recognized depression (M = 18.3, SD = 2.9) and those that did not (M = 16.8, SD = 4.0; p < .01). Conclusion: Although more work is needed to refine the scale, the current study results show promise regarding use of the Korean Parental D-Lit scale in educational, clinical, and academic research contexts. Additional research on the scale is needed using larger samples that include greater numbers of Korean American fathers as well as Korean Americans in other regions of the U.S.