What is the relationship between the DASS and the tripartite model of Watson & Clark?
The structure of the DASS has both similarities and differences from the tripartite conceptual model proposed by Clark and Watson. Both models emphasise symptoms of autonomic arousal in defining Anxiety and differentiating it from other emotional syndromes such as Depression. Both models give emphasis to anhedonia in defining Depression, although the DASS gives equal weight to other features such as hopelessness and devaluation of life. However, the models differ with respect to symptoms of tension and irritability. The DASS assumes that these symptoms define a third, coherent syndrome that is distinct from both Anxiety and Depression. The tripartite model, by contrast, groups these symptoms together with other symptoms that both models agree are nonspecific into a General Distress or Negative Affect category. Factor analysis supports the contention that the items in the Stress scale are not simply symptoms that are common to anxiety and depression. If they were, then under factor anal
