Assessing psychosocial distress in diabetes: development of the diabetes distress scale.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the development of the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), a new instrument for the assessment of diabetes-related emotional distress, based on four independent patient samples.


METHODS
In consultation with patients and professionals from multiple disciplines, a preliminary scale of 28 items was developed, based a priori on four distress-related domains: emotional burden subscale, physician-related distress subscale, regimen-related distress subscale, and diabetes-related interpersonal distress. The new instrument was included in a larger battery of questionnaires used in diabetes studies at four diverse sites: waiting room at a primary care clinic (n = 200), waiting room at a diabetes specialty clinic (n = 179), a diabetes management study program (n = 167), and an ongoing diabetes management program (n = 158).


RESULTS
Exploratory factor analyses revealed four factors consistent across sites (involving 17 of the 28 items) that matched the critical content domains identified earlier. The correlation between the 28-item and 17-item scales was very high (r = 0.99). The mean correlation between the 17-item total score (DDS) and the four subscales was high (r = 0.82), but the pattern of interscale correlations suggested that the subscales, although not totally independent, tapped into relatively different areas of diabetes-related distress. Internal reliability of the DDS and the four subscales was adequate (alpha > 0.87), and validity coefficients yielded significant linkages with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, meal planning, exercise, and total cholesterol. Insulin users evidenced the highest mean DDS total scores, whereas diet-controlled subjects displayed the lowest scores (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The DDS has a consistent, generalizable factor structure and good internal reliability and validity across four different clinical sites. The new instrument may serve as a valuable measure of diabetes-related emotional distress for use in research and clinical practice.
Polonsky
William H
WH
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA. whpolonsky@aol.com
Fisher
Lawrence
L
Earles
Jay
J
Dudl
R James
RJ
Lees
Joel
J
Mullan
Joseph
J
Jackson
Richard A
RA
D000328:Adult; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D004522:Educational Status; D004644:Emotions; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents