Researchers at University of Western Australia release new data on clinical psychology
2007 NOV 22 -- According to recent research published in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology, "The psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995a) were examined in depressed psychiatric hospital samplesThree studies administered the DASS and other symptom measures at admission and discharge to consecutive adult hospital patients with a primary diagnosis of depression. Study 3 aimed to address problems with the DASS by extending the response optionsStudy I found that the DASS had good reliability and validity, was moderately sensitive to change, but the Depression Scale exhibited a ceiling effect." "In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor structure and the DASS continued to demonstrate good psychometric properties, but the ceiling effect was replicated. Study 3 found that by extending the response scale to include an additional option, the factor structure of the instrument as a whole was maintained, the sensitivity to treatment was increased, but the ceiling effect was only marginally reducedThe psychometric properties of the DASS were sound in clinically depressed samples, but the Depression Scale exhibited a ceiling effect that could not be resolved with minor changes to the scale," wrote A.C. Page and colleagues, University of Western Australia. The researchers concluded: "Suggestions for revisions of the DASS are made." Page and colleagues published their study in British Journal of Clinical Psychology (Psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in depressed clinical samples. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2007;46(Part 3):283-297). For additional information, contact A.C. Page, University of Western Australia, School Psychology, Clinic Psychology Unit, 35 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia. The publisher's contact information for the British Journal of Clinical Psychology is: British Psychological Society, St. Andrews House, 48 Princess Rd. East, Leicester LE1 7DR, Leics, England. Keywords: Australia, Nedlands, Clinical Psychology, University of Western Australia. This article was prepared by Hospital & Nursing Home Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Hospital & Nursing Home Week via NewsRx.com.
|
