Test Evaluation: DASS
The Depression anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) is a 21-item quantitative measure of distress that has 3 scales- anxiety, stress and depression, each of which has 7-items (Henry & Crawford, 2005). The DASS-21 is a shorter version of the full 42-item questionnaire (DASS) both of which are typically used to discriminate between the three related states of depression, anxiety and stress (Antony, Bieling, Cox, Enns, & Swinson, 1998). Distinguishing between these states has proven difficult, particularly between anxiety and depression (Clark & Watson, 1991a) . Many of the major scales predominantly measure the common factor of negative affectivity (Watson & Clark, 1984). While the full version DASS is used in both clinical and research settings, the DASS-21 is typically used for research purposes (Lovibond, 2013). As such this paper will evaluate the empirical evidence for the validity and reliability of the DASS-21 for research purposes.
Evidence for Validity
The DASS-21 shares many similarities with the tripartite model of depression (Brown, Chorpita, Korotitsch, & Barlow, 1997), which posits that the explanation of an affective domain requires the evaluation of both common and distinct elements (Clark & Watson, 1991b). The tripartite model argues that factors of anxiety and depression can be categorised as having general distress (negative affect) as well as distinct symptoms, namely hyper-arousal, in the case of anxiety and anhedonia, in the case of
(1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335-343.
Schneiderman, N., Ironson, G., & Siegel, S. D. (2005). STRESS AND HEALTH: Psychological, Behavioral, and Biological Determinants. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 1,
Major depression is a commonly diagnosed psychological disorder affecting individuals’ ability to feel happiness and peace of mind. Those who suffer experience negative emotions, lack of motivation, changes in behaviour and dysfunctional cognitive symptoms. Depression is classified by the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as five of more of the listed symptoms present persistently over the same two weeks. One of these symptoms must be depressed mood or loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities. Depression causes disruption to typical daily life such as inability to maintain friendships and jobs. Other symptoms outlined by the DSM-5 include; insomnia, fatigue and recurrent thoughts of death. There is much debate over what exactly causes depression. Biological explanations question hereditary and neurotransmitter factors. While psychological theories include the cognitive ideas of Beck’s negative triad and hopelessness theory. This essay will focus on the ways in which psychological and biological explanations contrast and how their theories can overlap to better understand depression.
DAS is recommended for this group as it is reliable and gives correct prediction and outcomes regarding depression. This assessment tool is easy to use; it is a self-report scale consisting of 40 items with each item having a statement and 7-point Likert scale. The questions used in this assessment are direct and easy making it efficient for most individuals' use (de Graaf, Roelofs, & Huibers, 2009). Besides,
The higher the score the less stressful the week was, and the less the score the more stressful your week has been. This stress scale has really opened the eyes of individuals based on how just one intervention can change the stress scale score tremendously. The Perceived Stress Scale is very valuable when determining how stressed and individual is each week. Cohen (1994) stated, “ A Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is supposed to very effective, easy to understand, and alternatives are easy to grasp.” So, therefore, the PSS helps evaluate the stress levels of individuals per
Become aware of the meaning of the stressor with the employment of mind over mood anxiety inventory/scores worksheets.
Attached are copies of the stock certificates which I believe were returned some time ago. I did research the DBS hard files, and the certificates are no longer here in our office. I am sorry that I cannot provide greater assistance in this matter. Please let me know if there is anything else that you need.
Additionally, there was weak evidence to support the DSM-5 definition of mixed features for depression historically and scientifically. Overlapping criteria such as psychomotor agitation, irritability, and mood liability are found to be the core features of mixed depression. Due to this criterion, it is possible that many patients with mixed depression will most likely be diagnosed and treated inadequately. Instead, the evidence found supports the clinical validity for an alternative definition for agitated depression and mixed depression (Koukopoulos & Sani, 2013). According to Zisook et al (2013),
Lang, A. J., Norman, S. B., Means-Christensen, A., & Stein, M. B. (2009). Abbreviated brief symptom inventory for use as an anxiety and depression screening instrument in primary care. Depression & Anxiety, 26(6),
DASS 21 can be used to measure people three negative emotional states, including depression, anxiety and stress.
Available research points out the fact that evidence based assessment methods are as important and evidence based treatment methods (Therrien & Hunsley 2012, p. 1). The research that I reviewed identified a variety of evidence based anxiety assessment tools. The two most commonly identified throughout the literature were the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), (Brandeis, 2016) (see Appendix B) and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), (Davis et al., 2016, p. 20). The BAI consists of twenty-one items describing anxiety symptoms and is utilized by the respondent’s self-reported responses to how much they were bothered by the symptoms in the previous week (Gillis et al., 1995: Palmer et al., 2016). The PSWQ is a sixteen item tool that measures concerns associated with anxiety (Fergus 2013; Gillis et al., 1995). Both tools have been
Weilert, T. & Weinberger, D. (1998). Feeling Depressed or Anxious. Retrieved March 17, 2011 from http://www.emental-health.com
The items of the BAI were drawn from three earlier self-report instruments that measured various aspects of anxiety. The BAI was developed with adult psychiatric outpatients and the manual recommends using caution with other clinical populations.
Depression is one of the common and severe major depressive disorder that affects the way of feeling, thinking and behaving. Depression can lead to a range of emotional and physical difficulties which may result in a person’s capability to function at work and home because of the feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. However, between 80 percent and 90 percent of people gain some relief from their depression symptoms after treatment. Therefore, depression is among the most treatable mental disorders. The development and maintenance of depression can be explained by the critical cognitive theories from Beck’s cognitive model of depression (1976). Furthermore, one of the most effective methods for treating depression has been created by this model. The central constructs within Beck’s model (1976) are schemas, negative, dysfunctional attitudes, cognitive distortions, the cognitive triad, and
INTRODUCTION: Even though stress negatively affects physical and mental abilities. Stress is the cause of tensions, overwork and increasing demands. Generally, the Anxiety is a part of our life. We live with it, manage it, or more all stress over it. Our lifestyle, the region in which we live, the economy, and our occupations can result in a lot of anxiety. Not everybody manages the same level of anxiety and there are a few elements that can affect our lives and reason us to have higher or lower anxiety levels. (Feldman, 2009)