Depression Adjective Check Lists – Form E (DACL-E)
A self-report checklist designed to measure transient depressive mood states and feelings.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Depression Adjective Check Lists – Form E (DACL-E) was developed by Bernard Lubin (1965). It is designed to measure Depression (State/Trait). The scale is intended for use with Adults and adolescents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 34 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Does not describe my feelings, 1 = Describes my feelings.
The scale includes 12 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 34. Interpretation guidelines:
- Normal / Minimal Depression: 0 – 8
- Mild Depression: 9 – 15
- Moderate Depression: 16 – 22
- Severe Depression: 23 – 34
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alpha ranges from 0.82 to 0.93.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 3 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.