Exploring factor structure of the dysfunctional attitudes scale

Abstract

The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) was designed to measure patterns of maladaptive thinking held by depressed individuals. Despite its wide use as a research and clinical tool, only a few studies have been carried out to examine its psychometric properties in a high school student population in Iran. The objective of this study was to validate the Iranian version of the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale Form A in the context of Iranian students. A total of 522 Iranian students (275 females and 225 males) from high schools participated in the study. Participants completed a General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and an Automatic Thought Questionnaire (ATQ). Exploratory factor analysis, reliability analyses and confirmatory factor analysis were undertaken to assess the psychometric properties and validation of the DAS. Exploratory factor analyses showed a four-factor model of dysfunctional attitude scale. The fit of the proposed four-factor model was not promising. The internal consistency of the DAS (40 items) was reasonable (Cronbach's α = 0.72).The DAS correlated with the GHQ (r = 0.28) and the ATQ (r = 0.35). The results of exploratory factor analyses fairly supported the four-factor framework with Iranian students; however, confirmatory factor analysis was not fit with the model. Implications are discussed in detail.