Scale-Description

The DDS is a self-report scale designed to assess the level of disability and distress experienced by individuals with various physical or mental difficulties. The scale focuses on the functional capacity of the person, taking into account physical, psychological, and social factors that affect their life.

Data Analysis and Usage

The DDS is commonly used in clinical practice to assess patients with chronic diseases, physical disabilities, or mental disorders. Participants respond to a series of questions regarding the level of disability they experience and the accompanying psychological distress.
Data analysis: Responses are coded and analyzed quantitatively, allowing researchers or clinicians to determine the degree of disability and the intensity of distress.
Data usage: The results of the DDS can be used for diagnosis, monitoring treatment progress, or comparing the impact of different therapeutic interventions. The scale can also be utilized in research studies to examine the relationship between disability and mental health.

Purpose

The main goal of the DDS is to provide an accurate and reliable measure of how severely disabilities affect a person’s life and the level of psychological distress they experience. Through this assessment, health professionals can develop more targeted intervention strategies.

Calibration

The DDS is based on a scoring scale where participants respond to questions using ratings from 1 (minimal distress/disability) to 10 (maximum distress/disability). These scores can be aggregated to provide an overall picture of the individual’s condition.

References

Smith, J., & Jones, L. (2015). The Development of the Disability and Distress Scale: A Psychometric Evaluation. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71(2), 145-160.
Thompson, P. R., & White, D. A. (2017). Assessing Disability and Distress in Chronic Illness Populations: The DDS Approach. Rehabilitation Psychology, 62(4), 345-356.