Malestar psicológico y envejecimiento: Análisis psicométrico del DASS-21 y relaciones estructurales con calidad de sueño y apoyo social.

Malestar psicológico y envejecimiento:

Abstract

The DASS-21 is a questionnaire that measures psychological distress related to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress; it has been used mainly in children and adolescents and there is little evidence regarding its use in the elderly. The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of this instrument through the analysis of its factorial structure and relationship with measures of perceived social support and sleep quality in a sample of Chilean adults and elderly people. The bifactor model is the one that best fits the data [χ² (85) = 264.365, p < .001; CFI = .984; TLI = .980; RMSEA = .043 (CI90% .033 - .053); SRMR = .045], from which it can be evidenced that the greatest proportion of variance is explained by the general factor. In addition, structural equation modeling showed that the latent variable of psychological distress is inversely related to sleep quality and receives a significant direct effect of perceived social support. In conclusion the DASS-21 is a valid, reliable, and easy to apply instrument, which can be used in adults and the elderly both in research and in the primary clinical approach.