Psychology RootsDistress Tolerance Scale
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About Distress Tolerance Scale
Scale Name
Author Details
Jeffrey S. Simons and R. Matthew Gaher
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
Distress tolerance is the ability to tolerate negative emotions and maintain goal-directed activity when facing distressful situations. It is a critical skill for coping with a variety of challenges, including mental health problems, chronic pain, and addiction. However, for many people, distress tolerance is a limited skill.
The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) was developed in 2005 by Jeffrey S. Simons and R. Matthew Gaher to address the need for a reliable and valid measure of distress tolerance. The DTS is a self-report questionnaire that assesses four core facets of distress tolerance: tolerance, appraisal, absorption, and regulation.
The DTS is a 15-item measure that is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). The total score ranges from 15 to 75, with higher scores indicating greater levels of distress tolerance.
The DTS is a widely used measure of distress tolerance in research and practice. It has been shown to be reliable and valid in a variety of populations, including college students, clinical patients, and community samples. The DTS is also sensitive to change over time, making it a useful tool for tracking progress in therapy or other interventions.
The DTS can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Assessment: To assess an individual’s level of distress tolerance and identify areas of potential difficulty.
- Treatment planning: To inform the development of treatment plans that target specific areas of distress tolerance.
- Treatment outcome evaluation: To track progress in therapy and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
- Research: To investigate the relationship between distress tolerance and other variables, such as mental health outcomes, coping mechanisms, and personality traits.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
To administer the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), follow these steps:
- Provide the client with the DTS questionnaire and ask them to read the instructions carefully.
- Explain to the client that they should rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree) based on how much they agree with the statement.
- Allow the client to complete the DTS questionnaire at their own pace.
- Once the client has completed the DTS questionnaire, collect it and score it.
Reliability and Validity
The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of distress tolerance in a variety of populations.
Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure over time and across different situations. The DTS has been shown to have good reliability, with internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha) typically ranging from 0.85 to 0.95. Test-retest reliability coefficients have also been found to be good, with correlations between scores obtained on two administrations of the DTS typically ranging from 0.60 to 0.80.
Validity refers to the extent to which a measure measures what it is intended to measure. The DTS has been shown to have good validity evidence, including:
- Convergent validity: The DTS correlates positively with other measures of distress tolerance, such as the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ).
- Discriminant validity: The DTS correlates negatively with measures of psychopathology, such as anxiety and depression.
- Predictive validity: The DTS has been shown to predict a variety of outcomes, such as treatment response and relapse in patients with substance abuse disorders.
Available Versions
15-Items
Reference
Simons, J. S., & Gaher, R. M. (2005). The Distress Tolerance Scale: Development and validation of a self-report measure. Motivation and Emotion, 29(2), 83-102.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the DTS?
A: The DTS is a self-report questionnaire that measures the ability to tolerate distress without engaging in avoidant or maladaptive behaviors.
Q: What are the four core facets of distress tolerance assessed by the DTS?
A: Tolerance, appraisal, absorption, and regulation.
Q: How is the DTS scored?
A: Items on the DTS are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). The total score ranges from 15 to 75, with higher scores indicating greater levels of distress tolerance.
Q: What is a good score on the DTS?
A: A total score of 40 or higher is generally considered to be indicative of good distress tolerance.
Q: How can the DTS be used?
A: The DTS can be used to assess and improve distress tolerance skills in a variety of settings, including research, clinical practice, and self-assessment.
Q: Is the DTS a reliable and valid measure?
A: Yes, the DTS has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of distress tolerance in a variety of populations.
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