Using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) across cultures

Tian Oei, Sukanlaya Sawang, Yong Wah Goh, Firdaus Mukhtar

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

76 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

DASS-21 has been validated in a number of populations such as Hispanic adults, American, British and Australian. The findings show that the DASS-21 is psychometrically sound with good reliability and validity. It is clear from the literature that the DASS-21 is a well established instrument for measuring depression, anxiety and stress in the Western world. Nonetheless, the lack of appropriate validation amongst Asian populations continues to pose concerns over the use of DASS-21 in Asian samples. Cultural variation may influence the individual's experience and emotional expression. Thus, when researchers and practitioners employ Western-based assessments with Asian populations by directly translating them without an appropriate validation, the process can be challenging. In summary, we have conducted a series of rigorous statistical tests and minimised any potential confounds from the demographic information. The advantages of this revised DASS-18 stress scale are twofold. First, the revised DASS-18 stress scale possessed fewer items, which resulted in a cleaner factorial structure. Second, it also had a smaller inter-factor correlation. With these justifications, the revised DASS-18 stress scale is potentially more suitable for the Asian populations.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1018-1029
Number of pages12
JournalInternational Journal of Psychology
Volume48
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2013

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Keywords

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Asian
  • Psychological strain
  • Psychometrics

Cite this

Using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) across cultures. / Oei, Tian; Sawang, Sukanlaya; Goh, Yong Wah; Mukhtar, Firdaus.

In: International Journal of Psychology, Vol. 48, No. 6, 01.02.2013, p. 1018-1029.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Oei, T, Sawang, S, Goh, YW & Mukhtar, F 2013, 'Using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) across cultures' International Journal of Psychology, vol. 48, no. 6, pp. 1018-1029. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207594.2012.755535
Oei T, Sawang S, Goh YW, Mukhtar F. Using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) across cultures. International Journal of Psychology. 2013 Feb 1;48(6):1018-1029. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207594.2012.755535
Oei, Tian ; Sawang, Sukanlaya ; Goh, Yong Wah ; Mukhtar, Firdaus. / Using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) across cultures. In: International Journal of Psychology. 2013 ; Vol. 48, No. 6. pp. 1018-1029.
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