A Study of Psychometric Properties of Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale – Thai Version among Thai Population

Thanayot Sumalrot; Jeeradetch Ngamseesan; Keerati Pattanaseri

doi:10.33192/smj.v76i9.269285

Authors

Thanayot Sumalrot Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Jeeradetch Ngamseesan Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Keerati Pattanaseri Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/smj.v76i9.269285

Keywords:

Emotion Regulation, Psychometric, Psychological test, Questionnaire

Abstract

Objective: Individuals with psychiatric disorders are found to struggle with emotion regulation, which is considered a transdiagnostic factor. However, due to a limitation in the assessment of emotion regulation in Thailand, this study aimed to translate the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) into Thai (DERS-Thai) and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Materials and Methods: The DERS-Thai was initially translated by one of the researchers before being re-reviewed. A pre-testing phase was then conducted to preliminarily evaluate the psychometric properties of the DERS-Thai. Subsequently, the testing phase involved 446 participants who completed an online questionnaire platform containing demographic data, DERS-Thai, the Emotion Regulation Scale (ERQ), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). The factor structure was then evaluated, along with its concurrent and criterion validity, as well as its internal consistency.

Results: DERS-Thai demonstrated acceptable content validity (I-CVI = 0.8 to 1.0, S-CVI/Ave = 0.85). In the testing phase with 446 participants (mean age = 29.19, SD = 8.50), predominantly female (81.8%), and mostly residing in central Thailand (81.31%), the original model did not fit well. After modification, fit indices were improved. DERS-Thai showed a negative correlation with ERQ and a moderate to strong correlation with DASS-21. Known-group analysis revealed significant differences in DERS-Thai scores between DASS-21 groups (p-value < 0.001). The scale exhibited excellent internal consistency (α = 0.94, ω = 0.96).

Conclusion: The DERS-Thai has demonstrated appropriate psychometric properties for assessing emotion regulation
skills in individuals.

Author Biographies

Thanayot Sumalrot, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.

Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology and serves as the Program Director of the Master's Degree Program at the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Keerati Pattanaseri, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.

Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.

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