abstract
Anhedonia, a core symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is predictive of antidepressant nonresponse.
In contrast to the definition of anhedonia as a “loss of pleasure”, neuropsychological studies
provide evidence for multiple facets of hedonic function. The aim of the current study was to develop
and validate the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS), a dynamic scale that measures desire,
motivation, effort and consummatory pleasure across hedonic domains. Following item selection procedures
and reliability testing using data from community participants (N¼229) (Study 1), the 17-item
scale was validated in an online study with community participants (N¼150) (Study 2). The DARS was
also validated in unipolar or bipolar depressed patients (n¼52) and controls (n¼50) (Study 3). Principal
components analysis of the 17-item DARS revealed a 4-component structure mapping onto the domains
of anhedonia: hobbies, food/drink, social activities, and sensory experience. Reliability of the DARS
subscales was high across studies (Cronbach's α¼0.75–0.92). The DARS also demonstrated good convergent
and divergent validity. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed the DARS showed additional
utility over the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) in predicting reward function and distinguishing
MDD subgroups. These studies provide support for the reliability and validity of the DARS