Measuring Anhedonia in Adolescents: A Psychometric Analysis

Abstract

Anhedonia—the reduced capacity to experience pleasure—is a trait implicated in mental and physical health. Yet, psychometric data on anhedonia measures in adolescents are absent. We conducted an in-depth psychometric analysis of the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS; Snaith et al., 1995)—a self-report measure of anticipated pleasure response to 14 pleasant experiences—in adolescents. Adolescents (N=585; M age=14.5) completed the SHAPS and other paper-and-pencil surveys. Item response theory models were used to evaluate the psychometric performance of each SHAPS item. Correlations of the SHAPS with other personality and psychopathology measures were calculated to evaluate construct validity. Results showed that: (1) certain items (e.g., reported pleasure from basic experiences like “seeing smiling faces” or “smelling flowers”) provided more information about latent anhedonia than others; and (2) SHAPS scales exhibited construct-consistent convergent and discriminant validity (i.e., stronger correlations with low positive affect constructs; weaker correlations with negative affect). Reporting diminished pleasure from basic pleasant experiences accurately indicates adolescent anhedonia, which is important for future scale development and understanding the phenomenology of anhedonia in teens. These data support using the SHAPS for assessing anhedonia in epidemiological research and school-based universal prevention programming in general adolescent populations.

Psychiatric comorbidity in adolescent electronic and conventional cigarette use

“…Each study measure described below has shown good psychometric properties in previous adolescent samples (Audrain-McGovern et al, 2004; Bastiani et al, 2013; Eaton et al, 2010; Johnston et al, 2015; Leventhal et al, 2015 in press; Martino, Grilo, & Fehon, 2000; Muris & Meesters, 2008; Pang, Farrahi, Glazier, Sussman, & Leventhal, 2015 in press; Wagner et al, 2006; White & Labouvie, 1989). Unless otherwise specified, a mean score per item composite was calculated and composites were scored such that higher scores reflect higher psychopathology.…”

“…Each of the transdiagnostic phenotype measures described below has been consistently associated with multiple psychopathologies (Audrain-McGovern et al, 2009; Audrain-McGovern et al, 2004; Cyders et al, 2007; Ellis & Rothbart, 2001; Isolan, Salum, Menezes Flores, de Carvalho, & Gus Manfro, 2012; Leventhal et al, 2015 in press; Leyro, Zvolensky, & Bernstein, 2010; Muris et al, 2008; Muris, Schmidt, Merckelbach, & Schouten, 2001; Pang et al, 2015 in press; Smith et al, 2007). …”

Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Identify Common Smoking Situations Among Korean American Emerging Adults

“…Average of scores from 3 items indicating the “reduced ability to experience pleasure in response to rewarding stimuli” (Leventhal et al, 2015, p. 1). Participants responded to “Indicate how much pleasure/enjoyment you would feel right now in response to…” spending time with people close to you”, “personal hobbies”, and “socializing” were used (α=.81).…”

Longitudinal associations between anhedonia and internet-related addictive behaviors in emerging adults

“…This 3-item self-report scale (Leventhal et al, 2015), adapted from the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (Snaith et al, 1995), included items that inquired about experiencing pleasure or enjoyment from small things (“a bright sunny day or a telephone call from a friend”), nature (“a beautiful landscape or view”), and receiving praise from others. Items were answered with a Likert format (1 = Strongly Agree to 4 = Strongly Disagree ), with higher sum scores indicating greater levels of trait anhedonia.…”