Validation of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) in a non-clinical sample of South African working adults. Issue 4 (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dreyer, Zonica; Henn, Carolina; Hill, Carin
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychology in Africa. Volume 29:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 346
• Page End: 353
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: validity -- reliability -- psychologial well-being -- workplace well-being; Psychology -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Black people -- Latin America -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Black people -- Africa, Sub-Saharan -- Psychology -- Periodicals; 155.8496
• DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2019.1647499
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-0237

Abstract

Abstract : This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) in a non-clinical sample of working people. Working South African persons ( N = 269; females = 62%; mean age = 33, SD = 11.5) completed the DASS-21, as well as the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7). Results following Confirmatory Factor Analysis and correlational analysis yielded a three-factor structure (depression, anxiety, and stress) for the DASS-21. The evidence for discriminant and convergent validity was strong. Additionally, we found good reliabilities for the overall scale as well as the subscales. The DASS-21 appears a valid and reliable instrument for measuring depression, anxiety, and stress in the workplace. Future studies should investigate differential item functioning and equivalence of items among South African working populations.