THE DEFEAT SCALE (D SCALE)

The Defeat Scale (DS) is a self-report measure of defeat, a negative emotional state characterized by feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and powerlessness. It was developed by Peter Gilbert and Stuart Allan in 1998. The DS consists of 16 items, each of which is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = never to 5 = always). The scale has been shown to have good internal consistency (α = .94) and test-retest reliability (r = .78).

The DS has been used in a variety of research studies to assess defeat in both clinical and non-clinical populations. For example, the DS has been used to study the relationship between defeat and depression, anxiety, and suicidality. The DS has also been used to assess the effectiveness of interventions for reducing defeat.

The DS is a useful tool for assessing defeat in both research and clinical settings. The scale is easy to administer and score, and it has good psychometric properties. The DS can be used to assess defeat in a variety of populations, and it has been used to study the relationship between defeat and a variety of other psychological variables.

History of the Defeat Scale

The Defeat Scale (DS) was developed by Peter Gilbert and Stuart Allan in 1998. The scale was developed to measure the construct of defeat, which is a negative emotional state characterized by feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and powerlessness. Defeat is thought to be a common experience in people with a variety of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The DS was developed based on a cognitive-affective theory of defeat. This theory suggests that defeat is caused by a combination of negative thoughts and emotions. Negative thoughts about oneself, one’s situation, and the future are thought to lead to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and powerlessness. These negative emotions, in turn, are thought to lead to a variety of negative consequences, such as social withdrawal, decreased self-care, and increased risk of suicide.

Characteristics of the Defeat Scale

The DS is a 16-item self-report measure of defeat. The items on the scale are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = never to 5 = always). The scale has been shown to have good internal consistency (α = .94) and test-retest reliability (r = .78).

The DS has been used in a variety of research studies to assess defeat in both clinical and non-clinical populations. For example, the DS has been used to study the relationship between defeat and depression, anxiety, and suicidality. The DS has also been used to assess the effectiveness of interventions for reducing defeat.

Other related terms

  • Hopelessness: A negative emotional state characterized by a sense of despair and a lack of expectation that one’s goals will be attained.
  • Helplessness: A negative emotional state characterized by a sense of powerlessness and a belief that one cannot control one’s own life.
  • Powerlessness: A negative emotional state characterized by a sense of being at the mercy of others and a belief that one cannot make a difference in one’s own life.

Sources

  • Gilbert, P. (1992). Depression: The evolution of a complex disorder. New York: Guilford Press.
  • Gilbert, P., & Allan, S. (1998). The role of defeat in depression: A model based on evolutionary history. Psychological Bulletin, 124, 412-429.
  • Kloos, B., & Seligman, M. E. P. (1993). Explanatory style and defeat. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64, 840-848.
  • McEwen, B. S. (2006). Protective and damaging effects of stress and adaptation: Allostasis and allostatic load. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1096, 30-47.
Below is a series of statements‚ which describe how people can feel about themselves. Read each item carefully and circle the number to the right of the statement that best describes how you have felt in the last 7 days. Use the scale below. Please do not omit any item.
 
SCALE
   0 = NEVER    1 = RARELY    2 = SOMETIMES    3 = MOSTLY (a lot)   4 = ALWAYS
 
1
I feel that I have not made it in life
0
1
2
3
4
2
I feel that I am a successful person
0
1
2
3
4
3
I feel defeated by life
0
1
2
3
4
4
I feel that I am basically a winner
0
1
2
3
4
5
I feel that I have lost my standing in the world
0
1
2
3
4
6
I feel that life has treated me like a punch bag
0
1
2
3
4
7
I feel powerless
0
1
2
3
4
8
I feel that my confidence has been knocked out of me
0
1
2
3
4
9
I feel able to deal with whatever life throws at me
0
1
2
3
4
10
I feel that I have sunk to the bottom of the ladder
0
1
2
3
4
11
I feel completely knocked out of action
0
1
2
3
4
12
I feel that I am one of life’s losers
0
1
2
3
4
13
I feel that I have given up
0
1
2
3
4
14
I feel down and out
0
1
2
3
4
15
I feel that I have lost important battles in life
0
1
2
3
4
16
I feel that there is no fight left in me
0
1
2
3
4
 

 

DESCRIPTION
 
 
Gilbert and Allan (1998) also designed the items on this scale in order to depict a sense of failed struggle and losing rank. This measure requests participants to respond to 16 items on a 5 –point Likert scale (ranging from 0 = Never to 4 = always) asking them how much they had felt defeated in the previous seven days‚ for example item 1 I feel that I have not made it in life. This scale has very high internal consistency with Alpha coefficients of 0.94 for females and 0.93 for males in both groups‚ furthermore reliability of 0.94 for students and 0.93 for depressed group.
 
SCORING
 
2‚ 4 & 9 are reversed scored items
REFERENCE
 

Gilbert‚ P. & Allen‚ S. (1998). The role of defeat and entrapment (arrested flight) in depression: An exploration of an evolutionary view. Psychological Medicine‚ 28‚ 585-598.

OTHER REFERENCES

Gilbert‚ P.‚ Allan‚ S.‚ Brough‚ S.‚ Melley‚ S. & Miles‚ J. (2002). Anhedonia and positive affect: relationship to social rank‚ defeat and entrapment. Journal of Affective Disorders‚ 71‚ 141-151.

THEORY PAPER

Gilbert‚ P. (2001a). Evolutionary approaches to psychopathology: The role of natural defences. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry‚ 35‚ 17-27.

Gilbert‚ P. (2001b). Depression and stress: A biopsychosocial exploration of evolved functions and mechanisms Stress: The International Journal of the Biology of Stress‚ 4‚ 121-135.

Gilbert. P. (2007). Psychotherapy and Counselling for depression. London: Sage.

 
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