The Depression, Anxiety, and Depression Scale (Dass)
The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS): The study of Validity and Reliability
Ahmet AKIN* Bayram ÇET‹N**
Abstract This study investigated the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). The sample of the study consisted of 590 university students, 121 English teachers and 136 emotionally disturbed individuals who sought treatment in various clinics and counseling centers. Factor loadings of the scale ranged from .39 to .88. Findings from discriminant validity showed that the DASS discriminates the normal and clinical population. Concurrent validity coefficients were found to be high (.87 and .84, respectively) . Cronbach · internal consistency of the entire scale was .89. Item-total correlations ranged from .51 to .75. Testretest and split-half reliability coefficient scores were .99 and .96 respectively. These results demonstrate that the DASS is a valid and reliable instrument.
Key Words Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Validity, Reliability.
Correspondence: Ahmet AKIN, M.A., Sakarya University, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences 54300 Sakarya-Turkey. E-mail: aakin@sakarya.edu.tr **Assist. Prof. Dr., Sakarya University, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences.
Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice 7 (1) • January 2007 • 260-268 © 2007 E¤itim Dan›flmanl›¤› ve Araflt›rmalar› ‹letiflim Hizmetleri Tic. Ltd. fiti.
AKIN, ÇET‹N / The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS): The study of Validity and Reliability • 261
Although there is an agreement that anxiety, depression, and stress are conceptually distinct constructs, a paucity of research exists to empirically support the distinction. Many would agree that anxiety, depression, and stress are forms of general affective distress. Distress, however, may be manifested in a number of different ways. Some may evidence negative affective distress by withdrawing or isolating; others may evidence more
Ahmet AKIN* Bayram ÇET‹N**
Abstract This study investigated the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). The sample of the study consisted of 590 university students, 121 English teachers and 136 emotionally disturbed individuals who sought treatment in various clinics and counseling centers. Factor loadings of the scale ranged from .39 to .88. Findings from discriminant validity showed that the DASS discriminates the normal and clinical population. Concurrent validity coefficients were found to be high (.87 and .84, respectively) . Cronbach · internal consistency of the entire scale was .89. Item-total correlations ranged from .51 to .75. Testretest and split-half reliability coefficient scores were .99 and .96 respectively. These results demonstrate that the DASS is a valid and reliable instrument.
Key Words Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Validity, Reliability.
Correspondence: Ahmet AKIN, M.A., Sakarya University, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences 54300 Sakarya-Turkey. E-mail: aakin@sakarya.edu.tr **Assist. Prof. Dr., Sakarya University, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences.
Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice 7 (1) • January 2007 • 260-268 © 2007 E¤itim Dan›flmanl›¤› ve Araflt›rmalar› ‹letiflim Hizmetleri Tic. Ltd. fiti.
AKIN, ÇET‹N / The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS): The study of Validity and Reliability • 261
Although there is an agreement that anxiety, depression, and stress are conceptually distinct constructs, a paucity of research exists to empirically support the distinction. Many would agree that anxiety, depression, and stress are forms of general affective distress. Distress, however, may be manifested in a number of different ways. Some may evidence negative affective distress by withdrawing or isolating; others may evidence more