Yilmaz Kogar, EsinKogar, Hakan2024-11-072024-11-0720231046-13101936-4733https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03710-xhttps://hdl.handle.net/11480/14747This study proposed an improved representation of the DASS-21 factor structure developed by Lovibond and Lovibond in Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33, 335-342 (1995) using bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (bifactor ESEM). This research was conducted by reference to 521 Turkish adults (45.3% females; M-age = 27.86, SD = 8.23). The bifactor ESEM findings indicated a strong general factor of negative affect underlying responses to all DASS-21 items but also that despite the presence of three specific factors (depression, anxiety, and stress), the depression subscale explained a high degree of variance and could be considered to constitute a specific factor. The results obtained from this study show that there is a common factor associated with DASS-21 scales, the total score of DASS-21 can be identified as a measure of general negative affect, and the bifactor ESEM structure of DASS-21 ensures measurement invariance across genders.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessDASS-21Bifactor exploratory structural equation modelingConfirmatory factor analysisMeasurement invarianceArticle4229258072582110.1007/s12144-022-03710-x360909122-s2.0-85137446215Q2WOS:000850001400002Q2