The Turkish validity and reliability of the Distress Tolerance Scale in youth in a clinical sample

Objective: This study aims to examine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) in a clinical sample of children and adolescents. Method: The study included a total of 198 children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 17. To confirm the factor structure of the Turkish version of the DTS, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. Convergent validity was assessed using a Spearman correlation matrix plot. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to evaluate internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient, along with the Bland-Altman graphical method, was employed to examine test–retest reliability. All statistical analyses were evaluated at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated model fit indices of χ^2/df=1.724, Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.947, Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI)=0.906, Normed Fit Index (NFI)=0.884, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI)=0.934, Incremental Fit Index (IFI)=0.948, and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA)=0.061, indicating an acceptable fit. The Spearman correlation matrix plot revealed a negative relationship between the subscales of the DTS and the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale – Child Version. Cronbach’s alpha values for the DTS subscales ranged from 0.694 to 0.775, while the coefficient for the general distress tolerance factor was 0.884, indicating good internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficients assessing test–retest reliability ranged from 0.703 to 0.839. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated a reliable level of agreement between test and retest scores. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the DTS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing distress tolerance in children and adolescents.