The Mandarin Chinese Version of the Modern-type Depression Trait Scale (TACS-22): A Pilot Pretest for Reliability in Taiwanese Nonclinical Young Adults

Abstract Background: Since around 2000, a new subtype of depressive disorder called “modern-type depression (MTD)” has emerged, particularly among people in the younger generation in Japan. The Tarumi’s MTP Trait Scale (TACS-22) was developed to assess the characteristics and traits of MTD. TACS-22 has shown good psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy in an initial sample of Japanese adults. Methods: We translated the scale in Japanese into that in Mandarin Chinese and recruited 115 volunteer college students to assess the reliability. Results: Reliability testing with 115 participants in Taiwan yielded a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.825, indicating good internal reliability. Dividing the subjects into two groups based on scores above and below 54, a comparative analysis of those two groups revealed significant differences across all three core components between the groups. Conclusion: The Mandarin Chinese version of TACS-22 shows reliable psychometric strength for screening potential MTD cases in nonclinical Taiwanese youths. Further investigations should be done to validate the clinical applicability and reliability of TACS-22 in Taiwanese clinical populations.