A-DES

Overview

The Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (A-DES) is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess dissociative experiences in adolescents. It is a widely used tool in both clinical and research settings to screen for dissociative symptoms and to identify individuals who may be experiencing significant dissociative disorders. The A-DES is specifically tailored for use with adolescents, providing age-appropriate language and content.

Purpose

The primary purposes of the A-DES are:

• Screening for Dissociative Symptoms: Identifying adolescents who may be experiencing dissociative symptoms.
• Diagnostic Aid: Assisting clinicians in the diagnosis of dissociative disorders by providing preliminary data.
• Monitoring Treatment Progress: Evaluating changes in dissociative symptoms over the course of treatment.

Structure

The A-DES consists of 30 items, each describing a different dissociative experience. Adolescents are asked to rate the frequency of each experience on a scale, indicating how often they encounter these symptoms. The items cover various aspects of dissociation, including:

• Amnesia
• Depersonalization
• Derealization
• Identity confusion
• Identity alteration

Application

• Clinical Use: The A-DES is used by psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals to assess dissociative symptoms in adolescents. It aids in the identification and diagnosis of dissociative disorders.
• Research Use: In research settings, the A-DES is used to study the prevalence and correlates of dissociative experiences in adolescent populations. It is also employed in clinical trials to measure the effectiveness of interventions targeting dissociative symptoms.

Psychometric Properties

The A-DES demonstrates strong psychometric properties:

• Reliability: The A-DES exhibits high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients typically above 0.90, indicating that the items consistently measure dissociative experiences. Test-retest reliability is also high, supporting the stability of the measure over time.
• Validity: The A-DES shows good convergent validity, correlating well with other established measures of dissociation. It also displays strong discriminant validity, effectively distinguishing between adolescents with and without dissociative disorders.
• Factor Structure: Factor analysis of the A-DES supports a multidimensional structure, reflecting the different domains of dissociative experiences it aims to measure. The factor structure is consistent across various adolescent populations, underscoring its robustness and applicability.

Translation and Adaptation

The A-DES has been translated into multiple languages and adapted for use in different cultural contexts, ensuring its relevance and accuracy in diverse populations. This widespread applicability makes the A-DES a valuable tool for assessing dissociative experiences in adolescents globally.

Conclusion

The Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (A-DES) is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing dissociative symptoms in adolescents. Its strong psychometric properties, comprehensive coverage of dissociative experiences, and adaptability across cultures make it an essential tool for clinicians and researchers. The A-DES facilitates the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of dissociative disorders, contributing significantly to the understanding and management of these conditions in adolescent populations.