Development of an Italian version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales

Older Italian-born Australians represent one of the largest migrant populations in Australia. However, there are few valid and reliable Italian-language measures of mood symptomology suitable for use with this group. Following a rigorous translation and adaptation process, an Italian version of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology, health & medicine health & medicine, 2010-10, Vol.15 (5), p.607-621
Main Authors: Severino, Giovanina A., Haynes, W. David G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anxiety Disorders - diagnosis
Anxiety Disorders - physiopathology
Anxiety-Depression
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Cultural Comparison
cross-cultural psychology
Cultural aspects
Depression - diagnosis
Depression - physiopathology
Depression Anxiety Stress Scales
Exploratory factor analysis
Female
Humans
Italian
Italian version
Italy - ethnology
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
migrant
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychometrics. Diagnostic aid systems
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Reproducibility of Results
South Australia
Stress
Surveys and Questionnaires
Techniques and methods
Transients and Migrants - psychology
Translation
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Summary:Older Italian-born Australians represent one of the largest migrant populations in Australia. However, there are few valid and reliable Italian-language measures of mood symptomology suitable for use with this group. Following a rigorous translation and adaptation process, an Italian version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales was administered to a sample of 103 Italian-born men and women over the age of 55 years and the results were subjected to exploratory factor analysis. Items within the original Depression and Stress scales loaded consistently and strongly on separate factors. However, translated Anxiety items loaded across three separate factors, including a factor comprised solely of somatic expressions of anxiety. The results are explained with reference to cultural factors specific to an older Mediterranean migrant sample, including somatic expressions of distress and "nerves". The results are also discussed in light of the size and nature of the sample. The Depression and Stress scales can be used confidently by clinicians and researchers with this population. However, the Anxiety scale cannot be assumed to be measuring an homogenous construct, and as such, should be used with caution.
ISSN:1354-8506
1465-3966
DOI:10.1080/13548506.2010.498889