title: Testing comparison models of DASS-12 and its reliability among adolescents in Malaysia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) is frequently used in non-clinical research to measure mental health factors among adults. However, previous studies have concluded that the 21 items are not stable for utilization among the adolescent population. Thus, the aims of this study are to examine the structure of the factors and to report on the reliability of the refined version of the DASS that consists of 12 items.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2850 students (aged 13 to 17 years old) from three major ethnic in Malaysia completed the DASS-21. The study was conducted at 10 randomly selected secondary schools in the northern state of Peninsular Malaysia. The study population comprised secondary school students (Forms 1, 2 and 4) from the selected schools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the results of the EFA stage, 12 items were included in a final CFA to test the fit of the model. Using maximum likelihood procedures to estimate the model, the selected fit indices indicated a close model fit (χ(2)=132.94, df=57, p=.000; CFI=.96; RMR=.02; RMSEA=.04). Moreover, significant loadings of all the unstandardized regression weights implied an acceptable convergent validity. Besides the convergent validity of the item, a discriminant validity of the subscales was also evident from the moderate latent factor inter-correlations, which ranged from .62 to .75. The subscale reliability was further estimated using Cronbach's alpha and the adequate reliability of the subscales was obtained (Total=76; Depression=.68; Anxiety=.53; Stress=.52).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new version of the 12-item DASS for adolescents in Malaysia (DASS-12) is reliable and has a stable factor structure, and thus it is a useful instrument for distinguishing between depression, anxiety and stress.
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Zubaidah Jamil
authors: ZJ
authors: Osman
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia. Electronic address: drfircbt@gmail.com.
authors: Firdaus
authors: F
authors: Mukhtar
authors: Sport Science Unit, School of Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Hairul Anuar
authors: HA
authors: Hashim
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Latiffah
authors: L
authors: Abdul Latiff
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Sherina
authors: S
authors: Mohd Sidik
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Hamidin
authors: H
authors: Awang
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Normala
authors: N
authors: Ibrahim
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Hejar
authors: H
authors: Abdul Rahman
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Siti Irma Fadhilah
authors: SI
authors: Ismail
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Faisal
authors: F
authors: Ibrahim
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Esra
authors: E
authors: Tajik
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors: Norlijah
authors: N
authors: Othman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis*