Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the scale for assessing sources of distress in Type 2 diabetes (T2-DDASS)

This methodological study aimed to adapt the Type 2 Diabetes Distress Sources Assessment Scale to Turkish society and to evaluate its psychometric properties. The sample consisted of 240 individuals who applied to the inpatient wards and diabetes outpatient clinic of a private hospital between December 1. 2023-March 31. 2024 Data were collected using the "Patient Identification Form" and the Type 2 Diabetes Distress Sources Assessment Scale, which comprises 21 items across 7 sub-dimensions: hypoglycemia (fear of low blood sugar), long-term health (concerns about future complications), interpersonal problems (difficulties in family and social relations), healthcare provider (communication issues with professionals), shame/stigma (negative social perceptions), access to healthcare (difficulties in obtaining treatment), and management demands (challenges of daily diabetes care). To assess temporal stability, the scale was re-administered to 50 participants after a two-week interval. Construct validity was tested through confirmatory factor analysis, which revealed a good model fit and confirmed the proposed factor structure. Reliability analyses showed Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0,87-0,91 across sub-dimensions, indicating high internal consistency. Item-total correlation coefficients ranged between 0,73-0,87, demonstrating that all items contributed significantly to their respective subscales. In conclusion, the adapted scale is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating distress sources in individuals with type 2 diabetes within the Turkish population.