Screening for depression and anxiety in spinal cord injury with DASS-21.
METHODS
Comparison of two self-report instruments with a structured diagnostic interview.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) in patients with spinal cord injuries.


METHODS
South Australian Spinal Cord Injuries Service, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, Northfield, South Australia.


METHODS
Forty paraplegic or tetraplegic patients participated. Two self-report measures, DASS-21 and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), assessed Depression, Anxiety and Stress. These measures were compared with each other and with diagnoses based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview.


RESULTS
Mean scores on both self-report measures were below clinical threshold levels. Prevalence rates of anxiety and depression were higher on DASS-21 than on BSI. DASS-21 was as sensitive as BSI, but had lower specificity to detect anxiety and depression.


CONCLUSIONS
DASS-21 is a promising screening measure for patients with spinal cord injury in a rehabilitation setting. It has greater sensitivity for identifying those with possible anxiety disorders than it does for those with depressive disorders.
Mitchell
M C
MC
School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. mc.mitch@optusnet.com.au
Burns
N R
NR
Dorstyn
D S
DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires