Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM-5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale–Child Form

ABSTRACT

The goal of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM–5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale–Child Form. The scale was prepared by translating and then back-translating the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale. The study groups included one group of 30 patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who were treated in a child and adolescent psychiatry unit and another group of 83 healthy volunteers from middle and high schools in the community. For assessment, the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (ADES) was used in addition to the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale. Regarding the reliability of the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale, Cronbach’s alpha was .824 and item–total score correlation coefficients were between .464 and .648. The test–retest correlation coefficient was calculated to be r = .784. In terms of construct validity, one factor accounted for 45.2% of the variance. Furthermore, in terms of concurrent validity, the scale showed a high correlation with the ADES. In conclusion, the Turkish version of the DSM–5 Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale–Child Form is a valid and reliable tool for both clinical practice and research.

KEYWORDS:

• Dissociative Symptoms Severity Scale
• reliability
• validity

Acknowledgments

This study was presented as a poster at the 8th International Psychopharmacology Congress in Antalya, Turkey, in 2016 and at the 4th International Symposium on Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology in Antalya, Turkey.