Confirmatory factor analysis of the DASS-10 with Black adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundThe Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) are widely used in research and clinical practice to assist in diagnostic decision-making and progress monitoring. However, more research is needed to support its use with Black adolescents in the United States, who are often underrepresented in DASS validation studies. MethodsThis study assessed the factor structure of the DASS-10 scale using confirmatory factor analysis in Black adolescents with clinical levels of negative internal behaviors (n = 372). Data were derived from the Black Teen Help-Seeking (BTHS) project, a mixed-methods study using an explanatory sequential design. ResultsThe two-factor model of the DASS-10 assessing anxiety-stress and depression was the best-fitting model compared to the one-factor model. The two-factor model of the DASS-10 yielded a close-fitting model (χ2 = 42.83, TLI = 0.981, CFI = 0.986, RMSEA = 0.026, SRMR = 0.032) with internal consistency as follows: Cronbach's α = 0.61 for anxiety-stress and 0.69 for depression. However, the item “I was intolerant of anything that kept me from what I was doing” should be further assessed or replaced with a familiarly worded and age-appropriate item. LimitationsBlack boys were underrepresented in the sample, while Black girls and LGBTQ+ youth were overrepresented compared to the overall US population of Black youth. ConclusionThe results support the use of the DASS-10 with Black adolescents, allowing clinicians and researchers the opportunity to examine overall levels of distress and distinguish between depression and anxiety-stress symptoms using minimal items.