Psychometric properties and normative values of the revised demoralization scale (DS-II) in a representative sample of the German general population
Abstract Background Demoralization is a clinically relevant syndrome in chronic diseases. The demoralization scale (DS-II) was recently developed as an economic screening tool in clinical populations. Main aim of this study was to provide normative data of DS-II scores in the general population. Met...
Saved in:
Published in | BMC psychiatry Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 1 - 685 |
---|---|
Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
BioMed Central Ltd
20.09.2023
BioMed Central BMC |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | Abstract
Background
Demoralization is a clinically relevant syndrome in chronic diseases. The demoralization scale (DS-II) was recently developed as an economic screening tool in clinical populations. Main aim of this study was to provide normative data of DS-II scores in the general population.
Methods
We developed a new German version, the DS-II Münster, and tested internal consistency as well as the previously proposed two-factor structure with confirmatory factor analyses. The DS-II was applied in a household survey of the general population. Associations between DS-II scores and age, gender and other sociodemographic variables were explored.
Results
The final sample consisted of
N
= 2471 participants (mean age = 49.8 years, range: 18–96; 50.1% men, 49.8% women). The DS-II Münster showed nearly excellent internal consistency. The model fit indices of the two-factor structure were not superior to those of the one-factor model. Mean scores of the DS-II were as follows. Total score: M = 3.76 (SD = 5.56), Meaning and Purpose subscale: M = 1.65 (SD = 2.77), Distress and Coping Ability subscale: M = 2.11 (SD = 3.02). DS-II scores were increased in women with an effect size of Cohen’s d = 0.19. An age-related increase was specifically found for the Meaning and Purpose subscale (d = 0.21).
Conclusions
The study provides normative values of the DS-II with respect to age and gender in the general population to facilitate interpretation of DS-II scores in clinical samples. A DS-II total score > 5 is suggested as a cut-off value. The findings further our understanding of significant symptom burden that was previously suggested in young patients with cancer. |
---|---|
Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 1471-244X 1471-244X |
DOI: | 10.1186/s12888-023-05187-9 |