An Indian Adaptation of the Distress Tolerance Scale for Adolescents

By : Subh Priya Pal, Gurpreet Kaur

Page No: 105-123

Abstract
Distress tolerance refers to an individual’s perceived ability to endure distressing psychological states. The aim of the current study was to translate the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) into Hindi language and analyse its psychometric properties in the Indian context. The sample comprised of 354 adolescents studying in government and private schools with a mean age of 13.36 years (SD = 1.51, range = 8). 189 (53.38%) of the adolescents were male and 165 (46.61%) were females. For assessing externalising traits among adolescents, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was administered along with translated version of DTS. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using the maximum likelihood method was computed. After applying a direct oblimin rotation, the four-factor structure produced an interpretable and relatively clear factor pattern matrix with most items loaded largely by four factors, regulation, emotional intolerance (unlike factor tolerance in the original DTS), appraisal, and absorption. Contrary to the proposition of the original scale, a four-factor solution emerged out of the factor analysis, however, all the subscales did not retain their status as independent factors, except factor regulation. The internal consistency of the 8-item translated version of DTS was found to be 0.519, indicating moderate internal consistency reliability. Furthermore, sex and age had no significant effect on the distress tolerance.

Authors
Ms Subh Priya Pal :  Assistant Professor, Dayanand Vedic College, Orai, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. Gurpreet Kaur :  Scientist ‘F’, Head, Intelligence & Aptitude Division, Defence Institute of Psychological Research, DRDO, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2026.21.01.11