Readability of the depression adjective check lists (DACL) and the multiple affect adjective check list‐revised (MAACL‐R)

Abstract

To determine the readability of the Depression Adjective Check Lists (DACL; Lubin, 1981) and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised (MAACL-R; Zuckerman & Lubin, 1985), each adjective on the two instruments was assigned its grade level readability designation from the Dale and O'Rourke (1981) compendium. Median readability level of each of the seven DACL lists was sixth grade with an average of 80% of each list at or below the eighth-grade level. For the MAACL-R, median readability level for each of the seven scales was fourth grade except for Hostility, which was at the sixth-grade level. Approximately 87% of the MAACL-R is at or below the eighth-grade reading level. The discussion suggests that both the DACL and MAACL-R can be considered to be at the eighth-grade reading level.