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Brain injuries

Preliminary Validation of a 10-Item Version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale in a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Sample

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study published in the Brain Impairment journal has shed light on the use of a 10-item version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-10) for assessing psychological distress in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The research, conducted by investigators at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, evaluated the psychometric properties of the DASS-10 in a sample of 354 treatment-seeking adults who had experienced mild TBI.

The study found that the DASS-10 demonstrated good fit to the Rasch model, with high internal consistency and acceptable unidimensionality. The results also indicated that the scale showed no evidence of differential item functioning for any of the person factors tested, including age, gender, ethnicity, education, and mental health history. These findings provide preliminary support for the DASS-10 as a psychometrically sound measure of psychological distress in adults seeking treatment following mild TBI.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated the psychometric properties of a 10-item version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-10) in a sample of 354 adults with mild traumatic brain injury.
  • The DASS-10 demonstrated good fit to the Rasch model, with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.89) and acceptable unidimensionality.
  • The scale showed no evidence of differential item functioning for any of the person factors tested, including age, gender, ethnicity, education, and mental health history.
  • The DASS-10 may be a helpful brief measure to triage mental health needs among persons referred to outpatient services after mild TBI.
  • The study provided preliminary support for the use of the DASS-10 as a psychometrically sound measure of psychological distress following mild TBI.

Statistics:

  • A total of 354 treatment-seeking adults with mild TBI participated in the study.
  • The average age of the participants was 36.3 years, with 62% being women.
  • The participants completed the DASS-10 on average 11.5 (15.0) weeks after their injury.
  • The study used Rasch analysis to examine the psychometric properties of the DASS-10.
  • The Cronbach's alpha for the DASS-10 was 0.89, indicating high internal consistency.
  • The person separation index was 0.86, indicating acceptable unidimensionality.

Sources:

  • Preliminary validation of a 10-item version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale in a mild traumatic brain injury sample. Brain Impairment, 2025;26(4).
  • Brain Impairment. Journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=BIM.
  • Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.
  • Csiro Publishing. Private Bag 10, Clayton South, Vic 3169, Australia.

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