Cited by 274Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesTreatment of Major DepressionMental Health Research Topics

Development and validation of the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) in a community sample and individuals with major depression

Rizvi, Sakina J., Quilty, Lena C., Sproule, Beth A., Cyriac, Anna, Michael Bagby, R., Kennedy, Sidney H.·2015·Psychiatry Research

Abstract

Anhedonia, a core symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is predictive of antidepressant non-response. In contrast to the definition of anhedonia as a "loss of pleasure", neuropsychological studies provide evidence for multiple facets of hedonic function. The aim of the current study was to develop and validate the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS), a dynamic scale that measures desire, motivation, effort and consummatory pleasure across hedonic domains. Following item selection procedures and reliability testing using data from community participants (N=229) (Study 1), the 17-item scale was validated in an online study with community participants (N=150) (Study 2). The DARS was also validated in unipolar or bipolar depressed patients (n=52) and controls (n=50) (Study 3). Principal components analysis of the 17-item DARS revealed a 4-component structure mapping onto the domains of anhedonia: hobbies, food/drink, social activities, and sensory experience. Reliability of the DARS subscales was high across studies (Cronbach's α=0.75-0.92). The DARS also demonstrated good convergent and divergent validity. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed the DARS showed additional utility over the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) in predicting reward function and distinguishing MDD subgroups. These studies provide support for the reliability and validity of the DARS.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.07.062

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  • In patients with MDD/bipolar depressive episodes, the DARS showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96), convergent validity with another anhedonia scale (r = −0.79), moderate correlation with a depression measure (r = −0.37), and was able to distinguish MDD from healthy controls.

    “In patients with MDD/bipolar depressive episodes, the DARS showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.96), convergent validity with another anhedonia scale (r = − 0.79), moderate correlation with a depression measure (r = − 0.37), and was able to distinguish MDD from healthy controls [49].”
  • The Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) measures desire/interest, motivation, effort, and pleasure "right now".

    “The DARS [49] measures desire/interest, motivation, effort, and pleasure “right now”.”

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Authors
Rizvi, S. J., Quilty, L. C., Sproule, B. A., Cyriac, A., Michael Bagby, R., & Kennedy, S. H.
Affiliations
  • University Health Network (CA)
  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CA)
  • St. Michael's Hospital (CA)
Corresponding author
Rizvi, Sakina J.
Venue
Psychiatry Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2015-09
Volume
229
Issue
1-2
Pages
109-119
ISSN
0165-1781 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1943465630
Cited by
274
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 49 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4
FWCI
9.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychiatry Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre
  • Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
Keywords
anhedonia, major depressive disorder, desire, motivation, effort, consummatory pleasure, reward function, scale development, scale validation, bipolar depression, Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, antidepressant non-response
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Residence Characteristics, Reward, Reproducibility of Results, Young Adult, Pleasure, Self Report, Anhedonia

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