Validation and psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale for Youth in Chinese adolescents
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health problems among adolescents. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales for Youth (DASS-Y) is a newly developed instrument designed to assess these problems in adolescents. Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the DASS-Y among Chinese adolescents. Methods: were used to assess the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the DASS-Y. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) evaluated the structural validity and convergent validity of the DASS-Y through the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), as well as Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and Composite Reliability (CR). Pearson correlation coefficients with the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessed criterion validity. Results: The CFA confirmed the validity the DASS-Y three-factor model consisting of depression, anxiety, and stress. The internal consistency reliability of the DASS-Y was found to be robust, with McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha values exceeding 0.8 for all dimensions across two measurements. The test-retest reliability was stable. The structural validity was reasonable and effective. Additionally, convergent validity is satisfactory, while criterion validity is also satisfactory. The three-factor model consisting of depression, anxiety and stress was confirmed through CFA. Conclusion: The DASS-Y exhibits satisfactory psychometric properties among Chinese secondary school adolescents, reliably and appropriately screening for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety within this population. Consequently, it can be employed as a standard tool for routine mental health surveillance in secondary schools.
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Authors: Jian Jiang, Jianhua Chen, Zhifeng Lin, Xuwei Tang, Zhijian Hu
Institutions: Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,295
OpenAlex ID: W4404359142