Assessing the Validity and Reliability of the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) for the Iranian Population

Background: Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) is the best questionnaire for assessing anhedonia, but it is unavailable for the Iranian population. Anhedonia is common in ordinary people but is often neglected, leading to major depression. Objectives: This study examined the psychometric properties of DARS in the Iranian population. Methods: This psychometric study was conducted on a sample of 474 general Iranian population in 2020 using the convenience sampling method. The participants completed the DARS and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The Pearson correlation coefficient was also used to determine convergent validity between DARS and BDI-II. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24. Results: Cronbach’s alpha (internal consistency) for the total score was 0.84. The relationship between DARS and depression (r = -0.37; P 0.01) showed relevant convergent validity. The test-retest reliability coefficient (3-week interval) equaled 0.77. Exploratory factor analysis with a varimax rotation showed four factors. These four factors explained 0.64 of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fitness for the 4-factor model construct. Conclusions: DARS is useful in assessing anhedonia in the normal population. According to the results, this scale has acceptable validity and reliability in the Iranian population and can be implemented in therapeutic interventions and research.