2. Study 1: Item selection
2.1. Methods
2.1.1. Item generation
The DARS is a self-report scale that measures anhedonia across
the following 4 domains: hobbies/past-times, food/drinks, social
activities, and sensory experiences. Within each domain, participants
are required to provide at least two of their own examples of
what they find rewarding (e.g. “gardening, playing the guitar”
under “hobbies/past-times). Illustrative examples are provided
within each domain (see Appendix). Subsequently, participants
answer a set of standardized questions about desire, motivation,
effort and consummatory pleasure for the examples provided.
An item pool comprised of 34 items was created across the
domains. The domains were based on results from the factor
analysis of focus group data obtained during the SHAPS development
(Snaith et al., 1991). Novel items were generated (by SR)
within each domain to ensure the presence of at least one item
assessing desire, motivation, effort and pleasure. The DARS was
designed to be useful in clinical and research settings (i.e. easy to
use, minimal participant burden). Consequently, we developed it
as a self-report questionnaire with the aim of reducing the item