Examining the Dimensionality, Internal Consistency, and Invariance of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) Across Age, Race, Ethnicity, and Caretaking Status

This study investigates the performance of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) across diverse demographic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a large, generalizable U.S. sample (N = 676), we applied multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis to examine the scale's internal consistency and measurement invariance in relation to age, race, ethnicity, and caretaking status. Our findings offer mixed evidence on the performance of the original three-factor structure of the DASS-21, which appears to function more consistently across groups defined by caretaking status and ethnicity, but less well across groups defined by age and racial identity. This research contributes substantially to the field by enhancing the understanding of DASS-21's applicability in diverse populations, particularly in the context of a global health crisis. It underscores the need for nuanced interpretation of DASS-21 scores considering significant demographic variability in its interpretation by participant racial identity and age, thereby guiding more accurate mental health assessments and interventions.