Publication: Validation of Nepali Version of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (N-DASS21) among Higher Secondary School Students
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute of Medicine
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Depression and anxiety are recognized as serious public health problems and are globally leading causes of disability in terms of total years lost due to disability. Depressive disorders often start at a young age; they reduce people’s functioning and are frequently recurring. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of Nepali version of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (N-DASS21).
Methods: The study was conducted during February – May 2017 among higher secondary school students from nine public schools in Kathmandu. The sample size achieved for this study was 1007, with a response rate of 94.8%. The Nepali version of the questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed for validity using confirmatory factor analysis.
Results: The internal consistency of the three subscales for the constructs was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha with values obtained between 0.76 and 0.81 indicating a reliable scale. The receiver operating characteristic curves showed the area under the curve for depression and anxiety scales as 0.80 and 0.91, respectively. This indicates that the scales are accurate.
Conclusion: The Nepali version of DASS21 (N-DASS21) is psychometrically sound with good reliability and validity. It can be utilized as an instrument for measuring depression and anxiety in Nepali population.
Keywords: Anxiety, DASS-21, depression, N-DASS21, validation
Description
Bishnu P Choulagai1, Poojan Sharma2, Chandrakala Sharma3, Subas Neupane4, Mita Rana5
1Central Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
2Department of Nursing, Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Soalteemode, Kathmandu, Nepal
3Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
4Unit of Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
5Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords
Anxiety, DASS-21, depression, N-DASS21, validation