Confirmatory factor analysis of the DASS-10 with Black adolescents

Abstract

Background: The 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. Methods: This 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. Results: The 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. Limitations: Black boys were underrepresented in the sample, while Black girls and LGBTQ+ youth were overrepresented compared to the overall US population of Black youth. Conclusion: The 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.

Keywords

• Black youth
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Measure validation
• DASS