Comparison of DASS-21, PHQ-8, and GAD-7 in a virtual behavioral health care setting

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06473
• Publication Date: 2021-03-20T08:14:12Z
• Authors: Lila Peters; Aimee Peters; Evie Andreopoulos; Naomi Pollock; Reena L. Pande; Heidi Mochari-Gre...
• Keywords: DASS; Patient Health Questionnaire; Depression

Validated depression and anxiety symptom screeners are commonly used in clinical settings. How results from different brief assessment tools compare to each other is not well established, especially real world healthcare This study aimed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 scale (DASS-Depression) (DASS-Anxiety) Patient Health Questionnaire 8 (PHQ-8) Generalized Disorder 7 (GAD-7) respectively, a real-world virtual behavioral setting.This was retrospective comparison of data population adults who completed consultation via telephone or secure video with licensed therapist as part standardized, evidence-based, therapy program for individuals comorbid medical health conditions. The joint distributions correlations between scores yielded by were assessed using descriptive Spearman correlation statistics.The DASS-Depression PHQ-8 highly correlated (r = .71; p=<.001); DASS-Anxiety GAD-7 also high .61; p=<.001). categorized more having above-threshold versus (71.5% vs. 43.5%; p < .001). (59.0% 45.0%; .001).This compared validated screeners, precluding conclusions related validity screener results.The similarly ranked severity. likely than DASS-21 scales classify