Psychometric evaluation of the depression anxiety stress scales-21 (DASS-21) in a Serbian student sample

Abstract

The purpose of the current research was to examine the psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) in a student sample. In Study 1 (N = 1374), a confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate construct validity of the DASS- 21. The stability of the DASS-21 structure over time (5-month follow-up, N = 693) was investigated also in Study 1. In Study 2, associations with measures of depression, anxiety, stress, affect, life satisfaction and general distress were examined to assess the convergent validity of the DASS-21. The results suggested that the DASS-21 was reliable and valid measure of unpleasant emotional states. The model with optimal fit consisted of general factor of negative affect plus three specific factors of depression, anxiety and stress.