Preliminary Validation of a 10-item Version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale in a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Sample
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Authors
Snell, Deborah L
Faulkner, Josh W
Siegert, RJ
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Journal Article
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CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of a 10-item version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-10) in a mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI) sample. METHODS: Treatment-seeking adults (n = 354; mean age 36.3 years, 62% women) were recruited from outpatient rehabilitation services in New Zealand. Participants completed the DASS-10 on average 11.5 (15.0) weeks after their injury. Dimensionality, reliability, person separation index and differential item functioning of the DASS-10 were examined using Rasch analyses. RESULTS: Initial fit to the Rasch model for the 10-item measure was good (χ2 = 78.6, d.f. = 70, P = 0.22), with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.89, person separation index 0.86) and acceptable unidimensionality. There was no evidence of differential item functioning for any of the person factors tested (age, gender, ethnicity, education, mental health history). CONCLUSION: These findings provide preliminary support for the DASS-10 as a psychometrically sound measure of psychological distress for adults seeking treatment following mild TBI. The DASS-10 for mild TBI may be a helpful brief measure to triage mental health needs among persons referred to outpatient services after mild TBI.Description
Keywords
DASS-10, concussion recovery, item response theory, mild traumatic brain injury, psychological factors, psychological symptoms, psychometrics, 5201 Applied and Developmental Psychology, 4201 Allied Health and Rehabilitation Science, 5203 Clinical and Health Psychology, 4203 Health Services and Systems, Mental Illness, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Traumatic Head and Spine Injury, Depression, Mental Health, Neurosciences, Behavioral and Social Science, Physical Injury - Accidents and Adverse Effects, Brain Disorders, Clinical Research, 6.6 Psychological and behavioural, Mental health, 3 Good Health and Well Being, 11 Medical and Health Sciences, 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences, 42 Health sciences, 52 Psychology
Source
Brain Impair, ISSN: 1443-9646 (Print); 1839-5252 (Online), CSIRO Publishing, 26(4). doi: 10.1071/IB25025
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© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)