The Depression-Happiness Scale: reliability and validity of a bipolar self-report scale

This article reports two studies aimed at validating the 25-item self-report McGreal and Joseph (1993) Depression-Happiness Scale (D-H S). In the first study, principal component data are reported on the D-H S with 194 respondents. A forced 1-factor solution confirmed the unidimensionality of the scale (item loadings ranged from .38 to .77) and thus the feasibility of a statistically bipolar measure. In the second study, data on the convergent validity of the D-H S with the Beck Depression Inventory (r=-.75) and the Oxford Happiness Inventory (r=.59) with 100 respondents are reported confirming the construct validity of the scale. Implications for research in social and clinical psychology are discussed along with the possible uses of the D-H S in a clinical setting.