Factorial Invariance of the DASS-21 Among Adolescents in Four Countries

Abstract

The use of scales to measure constructs in populations or contexts other than that in which they were established is highly controversial. Despite this, the use of scales without reference to “local” psychometric data is still widespread. In this study we examined the factor structure of the short 21-item form of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21), when it was applied to adolescent samples recruited from high schools in Australia (N = 371), Chile (N = 448), China (N = 558), and Malaysia (N = 388). Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the purported three-factor structure of the DASS-21 was supported in each location with structural invariance across locations. While convergent and divergent validity studies are required to support this finding, the DASS-21 appears to be suitable for use with adolescents in these locations.

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 in Chinese Hospital Workers: Reliability, Latent Structure, and Measurement Invariance Across Genders

“…Furthermore, there is a lack of validation studies among Asian samples on cultural differences that may make significant variations (Oei et al, 2013). For example, depression, anxiety, and stress measured by DASS-21 are considered to be different in east and west culture (Mellor et al, 2015). Marsella et al (1985) reported that in Western populations symptoms of depression are dominated by sadness and feelings of worthlessness, whereas in non-Western populations, somatic symptoms such as sleep difficulties predominate.…”

Remaining connected in the face of cyberbullying: Why social connectedness is important for mental health

“…However, numerous studies have successfully found that the DASS21 does measure the three intended constructs and is reliable and valid for use with a nonclinical sample (Antony, Bieling, Cox, Enns, & Swinson, 1998;Crawford & Henry, 2003;Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). Some researchers have found the DASS21 to work well with adolescents (Mellor et al, 2015;Tully, Zajac, & Venning, 2009;Willemsen, Markey, Declercq, & Vanheule, 2011). Previous Australian studies examining cyberbullying have used this scale (Campbell et al, 2012;Spears, Taddeo, Daly, et al, 2015).…”

Resilience to suicide ideation: A cross‐cultural test of the buffering hypothesis

“…Participants are asked to indicate to what extent the seven statements on depressive symptoms (e.g., “I just couldn't seem to get going.”) applied to them over the past week (0 = did not apply to me at all ; 3 = applied to me very much or most of the time ). Research indicates that this scale is adequate for cross‐cultural research, based on analyses indicating partial strong measurement invariance across diverse cultures (Mellor et al, ). Internal consistency in the current sample was α = .89 in Germany and .91 in China.…”

“…applied to them over the past week (0 = did not apply to me at all; 3 = applied to me very much or most of the time). Research indicates that this scale is adequate for cross-cultural research, based on analyses indicating partial strong measurement invariance across diverse cultures (Mellor et al, 2014).…”