Validation of the Self-Discrepancies Scale (S-DS). A tool to investigate the self in clinical and research settings

Introduction

Self-discrepancies (the distances between the perceived self and the ideal or the socially prescribed selves) are a hallmark in psychological distress. However, a clinical tool evaluating these discrepancies is lacking.

Objective

To investigate the validity, the psychometric characteristics and the clinical relevance of the Self-Discrepancy Scale, an instrument designed to assess with multiple indices discrepancies between mental representations of the self: the actual self, on the one hand and ideal or socially-prescribed selves, on the other hand.

Method

The Self-Discrepancy Scale has been administered to a large community sample, together with measures of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. It was also proposed to an additional clinical sample composed of clients with a diagnosis of mood or anxiety disorders seeking psychotherapeutic help.

Results

A factor analysis evidenced three underlying dimensions to self-discrepancies: the size of the discrepancies, the resulting distress and the presence to unwanted traits. Test-retest consistency is in the acceptable range. Different profiles of self-discrepancies distinguished clinical groups suffering from different disorders.

Conclusions

The data suggest that the Self-Discrepancy Scale is a valid measure of self-discrepancies and a valuable predictor of emotional vulnerability, especially with regards to abstract global judgments of discrepancies and of discrepancy induced distress. It is concluded that the Self-Discrepancy Scale offers a valuable help in clinical settings.