I am measuring a construct: Atypical depression. It doesn't have a measurement scale. Can I combine items from other measures based on the symptoms of AD and from a scale of my own? If yes, can anyone direct me to some helpful resources on the process?
Or is it better to develop a scale or items from scratch?
developing separate scale is always better. However combining items from different scales is very common but problematic.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36176178/
While atypical depression can be rated using the ad-hoc SIG-ADS, basically an HAM-D with 8 additional items for the atypical features, one could combine items from different tools assuming the latter are somehow related against each other and sound from a clinical standpoint (e.g., measures of impulsivity and anxiety). Just bear in mind that one should then test the internal consistency and factorial structure to ensure the items relate against each other across different factors but they do not overlap too much or they are all relevant to retain. PCA followed by CFA analysis works.
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