The short‐form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS‐21): Construct validity and normative data in a large non‐clinical sample

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To test the construct validity of the short-form version of the Depression anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21), and in particular, to assess whether stress as indexed by this measure is synonymous with negative affectivity (NA) or whether it represents a related, but distinct, construct. To provide normative data for the general adult population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, correlational and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). METHODS: The DASS-21 was administered to a non-clinical sample, broadly representative of the general adult UK population (N = 1,794). Competing models of the latent structure of the DASS-21 were evaluated using CFA. RESULTS: The model with optimal fit (RCFI = 0.94) had a quadripartite structure, and consisted of a general factor of psychological distress plus orthogonal specific factors of depression, anxiety, and stress. This model was a significantly better fit than a competing model that tested the possibility that the Stress scale simply measures NA. CONCLUSIONS: The DASS-21 subscales can validly be used to measure the dimensions of depression, anxiety, and stress. However, each of these subscales also taps a more general dimension of psychological distress or NA. The utility of the measure is enhanced by the provision of normative data based on a large sample.

Cite this paper

Related papers

1. The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations.1986
2. A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder2006
3. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: A Research Note1997
4. Detection of Postnatal Depression1987
5. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support1988