This study developed and validated a 16-item Brief Negative Core Beliefs Inventory (B-NCBI), shortened from the original 32-item NCBI, across five independent samples (total N = 3,025) using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory, convergent/discriminant validity, case-control comparison, and test-retest reliability.
The B-NCBI showed excellent model fit (RMSEA = 0.041, CFI = 0.98), near-perfect correlation with the full NCBI (r = .97), strong association with depression/distress (DASS-21 r = .66), and large case-control separation (Cohen's d = 3.08; AUC = 0.99).
- Sample was drawn from Pakistan, limiting generalizability to other cultural/linguistic contexts. - Participants were selected based on 'elevated perceived depressive symptoms,' so findings may not extend to clinical diagnostic groups. - Full text was not available for review; details on sample demographics and recruitment are not verifiable from the abstract alone.
The B-NCBI is a 16-item scale that reliably captures negative core beliefs tied to depression with half the respondent burden of the original tool — a practical option for repeated-measures research or clinical screening. Its near-perfect discrimination (AUC = 0.99) between cases and controls suggests strong potential for identifying individuals with elevated depressive cognitions in both research and assessment settings.
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