University of Twente Student Theses

A first step towards validation of the DASS-21 as depression screener for individuals with a mild and borderline intellectual disability, who have substance use related and addictive disorders

Tilkema, Maritte (2019) A first step towards validation of the DASS-21 as depression screener for individuals with a mild and borderline intellectual disability, who have substance use related and addictive disorders.

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Abstract:	Background: Comorbidity is a common problem among patients who are in treatment for substance use related and addictive disorders (SUD/AD). A part of the patients with SUD/AD also have a mild- or borderline intellectual disability (MBID), and sometimes even triple problems exist by existence of depression, for instance. This points to the importance of systematic screening for comorbidity, during treatment of SUD/AD. However, screening instruments validated for the population with MBID are scarce. Purpose: Currently, the DASS-21 is the preferred depression screener for patients with SUD/AD and MBID, at an organisation for addiction care. This questionnaire is not yet validated among this population though. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to make a first step towards validation of the DASS-21 depression subscale (DASS-21) among this population. Method: Twelve patients of a MBID department of an organisation for addiction care, are included in the study. The construct validity of the DASS-21 is examined by performing regression analyses between this questionnaire and the BDI-II-NL (BDI-II), the SDQ-18 emotional problems subscale (SDQ-18), and Honos item 7 (Honos). A moderator analysis is selected to examine whether IQ level influences the relationship between the DASS-21 and the BDI-II. Lastly, a crosstab analysis is performed to verify the sensitivity and specificity of the DASS-21, by comparing its cut-off score with the cut-off scores of the BDI-II. Results: Results show a significant and strong, positive relationship between the DASS-21 and BDI-II. Between the DASS-21 and the SDQ-18, and the DASS-21 and the Honos moderately positive relationships are found, that are are non-significant. The cut-off score of the DASS-21 seems most sensitive and specific in comparison to the cut-off score of the BDI-II severe depression. With reference to the small study sample, the moderation analysis could not be performed. Conclusion: There are indications that the DASS-21 is a valid depression screener for individuals with MBID, who have a SUD/AD. However, future research is necessary to confirm this.
Item Type:	Essay (Master)
Faculty:	BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:	77 psychology
Programme:	Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:	https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/77314
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