Extending the Validation of the Anhedonia Scale for Adolescents into Young Adulthood: Psychometric Properties and Longitudinal Prediction of Depressive Symptoms
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Anhedonia is a core symptom of depression linked to poorer outcomes in young people. The Anhedonia Scale for Adolescents (ASA) is a 14-item multidimensional measure validated in 11–18-year-olds. We examined its psychometric properties in 1,199 individuals aged 16–25 years, with and without clinical diagnoses. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original three-factor structure over one- and two-factor alternatives. Internal consistency was excellent for the total scale (α = .92), acceptable to good for the subscales (α = .71–.88) and comparable across age and clinical groups; five-month test–retest reliability was moderate (ICC = .69). The ASA correlated with the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS; rₛ = .66) and depressive symptoms (rₛ = .80), explained variance in depressive symptoms beyond the SHAPS (ΔR² = .32), and predicted depressive symptoms five months later beyond baseline symptoms. The ASA is a reliable, valid measure of anhedonia across adolescence and young adulthood.
Source: PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints)
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7223467718