Development and Validation of the Emotions with Persecutory Delusions Scale (EPDS)

Abstract

Some cognitive therapists have suggested the importance of changing emotions and behaviors caused by delusions, rather than changing the content of the delusions. Based on this view, the present study developed the Emotions with Persecutory Delusions Scale (EPDS). A total of 401 undergraduates (209 males, 192 females) completed the EPDS, and 130 of these participants (60 males, 70 females) also completed the Self-reference Scale and the Delusional Ideation Checklist. A confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling was performed. The results showed that the model provided a good fit to the data, indicating the factorial validity. Statistically significant correlations between the EPDS and other measures indicated concurrent validity. In addition, high discrimination power and internal consistency were obtained for the items in the EPDS. These results suggest that the EPDS has sufficient reliability and validity.View full abstract