Short Versions of the Questionnaires Related to Dysfunctional Cognitions in a Clinical Sample: Dysfunctional Attitude Scale and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire

Abstract

Objective: In the literature, Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) and Automatic Thought s Questionnaire (ATQ) are two commonly used questionnaires investigating dysfunctional cognitions within the frame of Cognitive Theory. In this study, it was aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the short versions (DAS-17, ATQ-15, ATQ-8) of these two questionnaires in a clinical sample diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

Method: The study included 136 adults diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder on the DSM-IV-TR criteria. The participants were administered the Beck Depression Inventory along with the DAS and ATQ.

Results: Four different models were tested in the confirmatory factor analysis for the DAS-17 which was found to provide the best fit for the bifactor model. The analyses indicated that DAS-17 supports a one-dimensional structure, pointing to the use of the total score instead of the sub-dimension scores. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis for the ATQ-15 and the ATQ-8 indicate that both scales have a single-factor structure. Short versions of DAS and ATQ have, respectively, good and excellent internal consistency reliability coefficients. Also, significant relationships were observed between depressive symptoms and dysfunctional attitudes, and automatic thoughts.

Conclusion: The DAS-17, ATQ-15 and ATQ-8 are valid and reliable scales for use on individuals diagnosed with depression. Nevertheless, it is considered useful to confirm these findings in larger samples.