Translation, content validity, and preliminary psychometric validation of the Existential Distress Scale in a Spanish non-clinical population

Purpose This paper presents the adaptation, content validity assessment, and initial psychometric evaluation of the Existential Distress Scale (EDS) in a Spanish non-clinical sample. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed in independent samples to evaluate the scale’s internal structure. This scale evaluates the presence of existential distress based on three constructs: loneliness, self-worth and meaning in life. Methods For the adaptation to Spanish, a translation and retro-translation was carried out with the judgment of seven experts. For the psychometric evaluation of the instrument, a cross-sectional study was conducted using two independent samples, comprising 197 participants for the exploratory factor analysis and 150 for the confirmatory factor analysis. Results Content validity was examined, and criterion-related validity was preliminary verified, with effect sizes indicating partial convergent validity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a three-factor structure and provided initial evidence of adequate factorial validity. Conclusion The results provide initial evidence of promising psychometric properties in a Spanish non-clinical sample. The resulting tool provides a brief and operational measure of a complex construct relevant to understanding human suffering.