Preliminary Study on Translation, Cultural Adaptation and Validation of DASS-21 and Dysfunctional Scale (DS) in Tok Pisin Language of Bougainville

This study assessed reliability and validity of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Dysfunction Scale (DS) in the Tok Pisin (TP) language of Bougainville. The process followed translation, back translation, expert review, pilot testing with students (N = 77), and conducting CFA. The sub-scale for Stress of DASS-21 did not show reliability and validity in the CFA and was omitted for the analysis for the stress domain, a DASS-14 is suggested. The two-factor measurement model of the Depression Anxiety Scale (DAS-14) and a single-factor model for DS have demonstrated reliability and validity. Cronbach’s Alpha (α) for anxiety, depression, and dysfunction were .74, .82, and .73 respectively. McDonald’s Omega (ω) reliability score for anxiety and depression components of DAS-14 were .74 and .81 respectively. For DS, McDonald’s Omega (ω) reliability score was .72. For DAS-14, model fit indices for CFI = .90, TLI = .88, SMRs = .07, RMSEA = .07, and RMR = .06., indicating reasonable fit. For DS model fit indices were TLI = .91, and CFI = .94, and values of SMRs =.62, RMR = .09, and RMSEA = .07 were measured which indicated a good fit. Convergent and discriminant validity scores showed appropriate to validate DAS-14 (TP) and DS measures for future use.