Multidimensional Emotional Disorder Inventory: reliability and validity in a Colombian non-clinical sample

Contemporary diagnostic frameworks in the realm of mental health have garnered criticism due to their categorical paradigm. Given the propensity of emotional disorders to manifest overlapping features, these frameworks fall short in comprehensively encapsulating their intricate nature. As a strategic response, Brown and Barlow introduced an innovative composite approach, amalgamating dimensions and categorical classifications, to adress this concern. Their strategic implementation hinged on the Multidimensional Emotional Disorder Inventory (MEDI), a transdiagnostic self-report instrument. Objective: this study undertakes the task of refining and validating the applicability of the MEDI within a non-clinical sample of Colombian university students (n = 808).

This study employed Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) to explore the structure of the measure. Results: ESEM suggested that the 8-dimension model with 48 items was the best-fitting solution, aligning with most dimensions identified by the original MEDI validation. Reliability was adequate for almost all dimensions (α: 0.69 – 0.92). An 8-dimension model with 48 items emerged as the most fitting solution, aligning with most dimensions identified by the original MEDI validation.

The ensuing validation and contextual adaptation of the MEDI for use in the Colombian population augments the transdiagnostic evaluation of emotional disorders, with potential implications for enhanced stratification of targeted therapeutic interventions. By optimizing the assessment of both dimensional and cross-diagnostic paradigms, the MEDI portends a noteworthy impact in realms encompassing both academic inquiry and clinical practice.