A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology evaluated the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) for youth in Singapore. Researchers aimed to assess the scale’s structural and convergent validity, reliability, and measurement invariance across different age and gender groups.
The study included 2,600 participants from a National Youth Mental Health Study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that the original three-factor model of the DASS-21 accurately fits the data collected from these youths. Reliability testing produced high Cronbach’s alpha coefficients: 0.91 for depression, 0.87 for anxiety, and 0.89 for stress, demonstrating strong internal consistency.
Furthermore, the research confirmed measurement invariance, meaning the DASS-21 operates similarly across diverse demographic groups. This aspect is critical for ensuring that the tool provides valid results regardless of age or gender.
Additionally, the study introduced an equipercentile linking method, which allows for a straightforward conversion of DASS-21 scores related to depression and anxiety to the Patient Health Questionnaire 8-item (PHQ-8) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the raw and converted scores indicated that the DASS-21 subscale scores are effectively interchangeable with those of the PHQ-8 and GAD-7, enhancing its practical application in clinical settings.
These findings affirm that the DASS-21 is a valid and reliable tool for measuring depression, anxiety, and stress among Singaporean youth. The study’s authors emphasize the importance of using standardized assessment tools in mental health to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of DASS-21 within diverse populations, particularly in youth mental health contexts.
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