Psychometric properties and normative values of the revised demoralization scale (DS-II) in a representative sample of the German general population.
BMC Psychiatry
; 23(1): 685, 2023 09 20.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37730585
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.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Demoralization
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Psychiatry
Journal subject:
PSIQUIATRIA
Year:
2023
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany