Identification of the underlying factor structure of the Derriford Appearance Scale 24

Moss, Timothy; Lawson, Victoria; White, Paul

Abstract

Background. The Derriford Appearance Scale24 (DAS24) is a widely used measure of distress and dysfunction in relation to self-consciousness of appearance. It has been used in clinical and research settings, and translated into numerous European and Asian languages. Hitherto, no study has conducted an analysis to determine the underlying factor structure of the scale. Methods. A large (n=1265) sample of community and hospital patients with a visible difference were recruited face to face or by post, and completed the DAS24. Results. A two factor solution was found to be the best fit to the data. A main factor, general self consciousness (GSC), was represented by 18 items. Six items comprised a second factor, sexual and body self-consciousness (SBSC). The SBSC scale demonstrated greater sensitivity and specificity in identifying distress for sexually significant areas of the body. Discussion. The factor structure of the DAS24 facilitates a more nuanced interpretation of scores using this scale. Two conceptually and statistically coherent sub-scales were identified. The SBSC subscale offers a means of identifying distress and dysfunction around sexually significant areas of the body not previously possible with this scale.

• Report Type: Project Report
• Publication Date: Nov 14, 2014
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2016
• Journal: PeerJ
• Print ISSN: 2167-8359
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.605v1
• Keywords: self-consciousness, sexual self-consciousness, body image, appearance, DAS24, Derriford, visible difference
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/807769
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.605v1
• Related Public URLs: https://peerj.com/
• Additional Information: Corporate Creators : Appearance Research Collaboration
• Contract Date: Feb 23, 2016