Psychometric validation of two versions of the adolescent Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS-A and DSRS-A Screener)

Abstract

Aim: Examination of psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of the Depression Self-Rating Scale for Adolescents (DSRS-A) as well as development and evaluations of a shorter version, DSRS-A-Screener. Methods: Analyses of component structure and internal consistency were performed in a communitybased sample of adolescents N ¼ 4,506 and among consecutive outpatients from three child psychiatric settings in Sweden (n ¼ 137). Concurrent validity was measured as a correlation between a summation index of the scale items and the total major depressive disorder (MDD) symptom severity score from the Kiddie Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS). Diagnostic accuracy was examined in the clinical sample, with the K-SADS interview as the reference test, by receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC), calculations of sensitivity, specificity among other measures. With the purpose to select items for a shorter scale, associations between scale items and MDD were examined with binary logistic regression. This shorter scale was thereafter examined similarly. Results: Based on association with MDD, five items were selected for the brief DSRS-A Screener that showed one component structure, internal consistency Cronbach's alpha .80 and.82, respectively. In the clinical population concurrent validity was Spearman's rho .63 and ROC analysis showed AUC .84 (95% CI .78-.91; p < .001). The optimal cut-off for screening was 2 with sensitivity .85 and specificity of .64. Conclusion:The DSRS-A Screener compared to the original scale, maintained or improved reliability, validity, and showed moderate diagnostic accuracy.

Among the swedish generation of adolescents who experience an increased trend of psychosomatic symptoms. Do they develop depression and/or anxiety disorders as they grow older?

“…We preferred to adopt this term rather than “diagnosis of MDD” because of the self-report nature of the measure. The cut off was validated in sensitivity and specificity studies [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Direct and Indirect Effects of Adolescent Peer Victimization and Mental Health on Academic Achievement in Early Adulthood: A 6-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study

“…Depressive symptoms. We used the Depression Self Rating Scale, Adolescent version (DSRS-A; Sonnby et al, 2022) to assess symptoms of depression at W1 and W2. The DSRS-A consists of 15 questions regarding depressive symptoms corresponding to the DSM-IV criteria A for major depression disorder.…”

“…Cronbach’s alpha was α = .80 for W1 and α = .83 for W2. A score of 5 and above indicates clinical depression (Sonnby et al, 2022).…”

Clinical evaluation of premonitory urges in children and adolescents using the Chinese version of Individualized Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale

“…The Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children (DSRS-C) ( 31 ) can be used as a cost-effective screener for depression in children and adolescents aged 8–14, with sound psychometric properties in clinical samples. The 18-item self-rating scale is scored on three levels: none (0), sometimes (1), and often (2).…”