Meh Para Siddique, Rubina Hanif.
Measurement of Vulnerability Markers for Depression: a study on Translation, and Validation of DAS-A.
J Islamic Int Med Coll Jan ;16(1):32-6.

Objective: The objective of current research was to establish the validity and reliability of Dysfunctional Attitude Scale-Form A in Pakistani population. Study Design: The present study incorporates the cross-sectional design based on confirmatory factor analysis. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from March 2016 to February 2017. Materials and Methods: The data was collected through purposive convenient sampling. The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale- Form A (DAS-A) was translated in Urdu language and construct validity of the instrument was tested by the aid of confirmatory factor analysis. It is a 40-items self-report instrument measuring both the dysfunctional and the adaptive aspects of attitudes. The study included a total sample of N=641 (324 male & 317 female) young adults aged above 18 years (M= 19.56; SD = 1.79) and selected from the normal population. Results: The findings revealed significant alpha coefficients, homogeneity, and stability of the DAS-A. Meanwhile, the confirmatory factor analysis provided strong support for a two-dimensional model. Using the sample variance-covariance matrix as input and a maximum likelihood solution, the overall chi-square was statistically non-significant (CMIN/df=1.24; p > .05), the Tucker-Lewis Index was .90, the incremental fit index was .96, the Normed Fit Index was .97, the Comparative Fit Index was .96 and the Root Mean Square Residual / Error (RMSE) for the predicted minus observed correlation matrices was .03. All these values suggest good model fit for the DAS-A. Conclusion: Subsequently, findings suggest that DAS-A (Urdu) is an efficient, reliable, and valid instrument for the assessment of dysfunctional attitudes which predispose to depression among young adults. Meanwhile, this research laid the foundation for further research in clinically depressed population.

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