Validation of the Beirut Distress Scale (BDS-10), a short version of BDS-22, to assess psychological distress among the Lebanese population

Purpose To develop and validate a short version of the Beirut Distress Scale (BDS-22), the BDS-10, in the Lebanese population, and evaluate the association between psychological distress and other mental disorders. Methods A total of 2260 participants was enrolled in this cross-sectional study (January-July 2019). Results Items converged over a solution of two factors (Factor 1 = Mood, affect and cognitive symptoms; Factor 2 = Physical symptoms; total variance explained = 64.51%). A significantly high correlation was found between BDS-10 and BDS-22 (r = 0.963, p < 0.001). Higher depression, anxiety, and insomnia were significantly associated with higher stress (higher BDS-10 and BDS-22 scores). Practice implications This new short tool is valid and reliable to screen for psychological distress, influencing mood and affect, and physical and cognitive functions.

Automated summary

The study developed a shortened version of the Beirut Distress Scale, BDS-10, and found a high correlation between BDS-10 and BDS-22, with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and insomnia significantly associated with higher levels of stress.