The Hierarchical Factor Structure of the Spanish Version of Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale -21

Abstract

The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) is one of the most widely used self-reports for the measurement of emotional symptoms. However, some controversy remains concerning its factor structure. Additionally, more data of the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the DASS-21 are needed. The aim of this study was to explore the hierarchical factor structure of the DASS-21 and to further analyze its psychometric properties in Spain and Colombia. Four samples with a total of 2980 participants completed the Spanish version of the DASS-21. Two of the samples were composed of undergraduates of each country and the other two samples were recruited online. The results strongly supported a hierarchical factor structure of the DASS-21 consisting of three first-order factors (depression, anxiety, and stress) and one second-order factor (emotional symptoms). Initial evidence of measurement invariance was found for country (Spain vs. Colombia) and sample (undergraduates vs. online). The DASS-21 showed good psychometric properties in all samples. The DASS-21 seems to be a good option to measure emotional symptoms in Spain and Colombia, and its hierarchical factor structure indicates that it provides general and specific measures of emotional symptoms that are theoretically meaningful.