PSYCHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRAIT VERSION OF THE DEPRESSION ADJECTIVE CHECK LISTS (DACL) IN ADULT PSYCHIATRIC OUTPATIENTS

Psychometric characteristics of the trait version of Set 2 (E, F, G) o f the Depression Adjective Check Lists (DACL) were studied in a sample of 177 consecutive admissions to a university medical center clinic o f adult psychiatric outpatients (60 males, 117 females). The SCL-90-R and the Psychiatric Diagnostic Interview also were administered. The t rait DACL was shown to have high internal consistency (.90 to .92) and alternate form reliability (.86 to .92) and good concurrent (.76) and discriminant validity. The DACL (E, F, G) was able to differentiate b etween those with or without the presence of a Major Depression. There was a significant correlation between DACL E and levels of distress a nd psychopathology. In addition, the magnitude of DACL score significa ntly differentiated psychiatric diagnostic groups.