Identification of the underlying factor structure of the Derriford Appearance Scale 24
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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.
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2014. Identification of the underlying factor structure of the Derriford Appearance Scale 24. PeerJ PrePrints 2:e605v1 https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.605v1note This preprint is not peer-reviewed. You may wish to reference the subsequent peer-reviewed version of this article.
Author comment
This paper is intended for subsequent submission to PeerJ for review. The Appearance Research Collaboration comprises the following individuals in addition to the main authors of the paper: Professor Nichola Rumsey is the designated contact with authority to represent the group. Nichola Rumsey, James Byron-Daniel, Rodger Charlton, Alex Clarke, Sally-Ann Clarke, Diana Harcourt, Hayley McBain, Elizabeth Jenkinson, Antje Lindenmeyer, Rob Newell, Stanton Newman, Krysia Saul, Andrew Thompson, and Eleanor Walsh.
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Competing Interests
Tim Moss is an Academic Editor for PeerJ.
Tim Moss manages the Derriford Appearance Scale project, which distributes the Derriford Appearance Scale at a small cost which covers website hosting and distribution.
Author Contributions
Timothy P Moss conceived and designed the experiments, performed the experiments, analyzed the data, contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools, wrote the paper, prepared figures and/or tables, reviewed drafts of the paper.
Victoria Lawson wrote the paper, reviewed drafts of the paper.
Paul White analyzed the data, wrote the paper, prepared figures and/or tables, reviewed drafts of the paper.
Appearance Research Collaboration conceived and designed the experiments, performed the experiments, contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools, led on the management of research governance issues.
Human Ethics
The following information was supplied relating to ethical approvals (i.e., approving body and any reference numbers):
The research was approved by National Research Ethics Service UK Research Ethics Committee (Central and South Bristol - 05/Q2006/19), and is consistent with the Declaration of Helsinki ethical principles.
Funding
This research was supported by the generous funding and management by The Healing Foundation (reg. charity no. 1078666) and support by the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers (registered charity no. 314211). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
