Psychometric properties analysis of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) on a sample of Russian-speaking students
https://doi.org/10.29413/ABS.2025-10.5.20
Abstract
Background. Universal and student-specific stressors can lead to the development of anxiety and depression. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) has proven effective in various populations. However, measuring anxiety, depression, and stress in the student population may have its own peculiarities, which create a need for a tailored tool to assess anxiety and depression levels among young people studying in higher education institutions.
The aim. Assessment of the psychometric properties, including the factor structure, reliability, and external validity of the HADS in Russian-speaking students.
Materials and methods. The sample consisted of 891 students, including 198 males (22 %) and 693 females (78 %), aged 16 to 37 years (mean age is 19.8, median age – 19.0, SD = 2.13).
Results. The Cronbach’s alpha for the “Anxiety” subscale was 0.73, for the “Depression” subscale it was 0.62, and for the overall questionnaire it was 0.79. Principal Component Analysis confirmed the alignment of the questionnaire’s structure with the original two-factor model proposed by the authors. Both the full model and a reduced model (excluding item 6) derived from confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated similar model fit indices. Based on the comparison of principal component and confirmatory analyses, it was decided to exclude item 6 from the questionnaire while retaining item 11 in the second factor.
Conclusions. The analysis concluded that the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale exhibits satisfactory psychometric properties and can be used for screening emotional distress among students.
About the Authors
J. A. Marakshina
Ural Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Julia A. Marakshina – Cand. Sc. (Psychol.), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Population Research,
Mira Str., 19, Ekaterinburg 620062
A. A. Pavlova
Ural Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Anna A. Pavlova – Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Population Research,
Mira Str., 19, Ekaterinburg 620062
V. I. Ismatullina
Ural Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Victoria I. Ismatullina – Cand. Sc. (Psychol.), Leading Researcher,
Mira Str., 19, Ekaterinburg 620062
M. M. Lobaskova
Ural Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Marina M. Lobaskova – Cand. Sc. (Psychol.), Leading Researcher,
Mira Str., 19, Ekaterinburg 620062
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Review
For citations:
Marakshina J.A., Pavlova A.A., Ismatullina V.I., Lobaskova M.M. Psychometric properties analysis of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) on a sample of Russian-speaking students. Acta Biomedica Scientifica. 2025;10(5):182-193. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.29413/ABS.2025-10.5.20
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