Citation

Fausor R, Sanz-García A, Morán N, Sánchez-Marqueses JM, García-Vera MP, Sanz J. Psicothema 2022; 34(1): 134-142.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Departamento de Psicología de la Universidad de Oviedo, Publisher Colegio Oficial de Psicológicas de Asturias)

DOI

10.7334/psicothema2021.363

PMID

35048905

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, Form A (DAS-A), is the reference instrument for measuring dysfunctional attitudes which, according to Beck's cognitive theory, constitute the key vulnerability factor for depression. The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the DAS-A have been examined in university students, but not in people with psychological disorders, despite being one of the most widely-used instruments in research and clinical practice of cognitive therapy for depression. The objective of the present study was to obtain validity evidence for the DAS-A in victims of terrorism with and without emotional disorders.

METHOD: The DAS-A's factor structure, internal consistency, and relationship with depression were analyzed in 196 victims of terrorism with emotional disorders and 280 victims without disorders.

RESULTS: In both samples, the DAS-A exhibited a structure with three correlated factors: Achievement-Perfectionism, Dependency-Need for Approval, and Autonomous Attitude. In general, the total scale and the subscales showed good or adequate indices of internal consistency (alphas and omegas =.60 -.89) and a relationship with depression ( r =.22 -.44).

CONCLUSIONS: The DAS-A provides reliable, valid measures of depressogenic dysfunctional attitudes in Spanish adults with emotional disorders and victims of terrorism.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Humans; Reproducibility of Results; *Attitude; *Terrorism; 4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid/analogs & derivatives; Psychometrics