title: Development and validation of the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) in a community sample and individuals with major depression.
abstract: Anhedonia, a core symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is predictive of antidepressant non-response. In contrast to the definition of anhedonia as a "loss of pleasure", neuropsychological studies provide evidence for multiple facets of hedonic function. The aim of the current study was to develop and validate the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS), a dynamic scale that measures desire, motivation, effort and consummatory pleasure across hedonic domains. Following item selection procedures and reliability testing using data from community participants (N=229) (Study 1), the 17-item scale was validated in an online study with community participants (N=150) (Study 2). The DARS was also validated in unipolar or bipolar depressed patients (n=52) and controls (n=50) (Study 3). Principal components analysis of the 17-item DARS revealed a 4-component structure mapping onto the domains of anhedonia: hobbies, food/drink, social activities, and sensory experience. Reliability of the DARS subscales was high across studies (Cronbach's α=0.75-0.92). The DARS also demonstrated good convergent and divergent validity. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed the DARS showed additional utility over the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) in predicting reward function and distinguishing MDD subgroups. These studies provide support for the reliability and validity of the DARS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: sakina.rizvi@uhn.ca.
authors.forename: Sakina J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.affiliation: Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Lena C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Quilty
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Sproule
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cyriac
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Michael Bagby
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sidney H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059445:Anhedonia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D057181:Pleasure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012201:Reward; D057566:Self Report / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anhedonia; Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale; Major depressive disorder; Reliability; Scale development; Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale; Validity