Cited by 130Psychometric Methodologies and TestingAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychological Testing and Assessment

Rasch analysis of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for use in motor neurone disease

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Gibbons, Chris J, Mills, Roger J, Thornton, Everard W, Ealing, John, Mitchell, John D, Shaw, Pamela J, Talbot, Kevin, Tennant, Alan +1 more·2011·Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is commonly used to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression in motor neurone disease (MND). The measure has never been specifically validated for use within this population, despite questions raised about the scale's validity. This study seeks to analyse the construct validity of the HADS in MND by fitting its data to the Rasch model. METHODS: The scale was administered to 298 patients with MND. Scale assessment included model fit, differential item functioning (DIF), unidimensionality, local dependency and category threshold analysis. RESULTS: Rasch analyses were carried out on the HADS total score as well as depression and anxiety subscales (HADS-T, D and A respectively). After removing one item from both of the seven item scales, it was possible to produce modified HADS-A and HADS-D scales which fit the Rasch model. An 11-item higher-order HADS-T total scale was found to fit the Rasch model following the removal of one further item. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a modified HADS-A and HADS-D are unidimensional, free of DIF and have good fit to the Rasch model in this population. As such they are suitable for use in MND clinics or research. The use of the modified HADS-T as a higher-order measure of psychological distress was supported by our data. Revised cut-off points are given for the modified HADS-A and HADS-D subscales.

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Authors
Gibbons, C. J., Mills, R. J., Thornton, E. W., Ealing, J., Mitchell, J. D., Shaw, P. J., Talbot, K., Tennant, A., & Young, C. A.
Affiliations
  • Walton Centre (GB)
  • University of Liverpool (GB)
  • Royal Preston Hospital (GB)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
  • John Radcliffe Hospital (GB)
  • Leeds General Infirmary (GB)
Venue
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published
2011
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
82
ISSN
1477-7525 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2147467671
Cited by
130
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 9
FWCI
11.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
Keywords
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, motor neuron disease, construct validity, Rasch model, differential item functioning, unidimensionality, local dependence, psychological distress, anxiety, depression, scale modification, cut-off values
MeSH terms
Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Chi-Square Distribution, Motor Neuron Disease

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