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

March 25, 2026 - 08:40

Researchers have successfully translated and conducted a preliminary validation of the Existential Distress Scale (EDS) for use with the general Spanish-speaking population. The work marks a significant step in providing Spanish-language mental health professionals with a dedicated tool to assess existential concerns, which encompass feelings of meaninglessness, futility, and a loss of purpose.

The study focused on ensuring the translated version was not only linguistically accurate but also culturally relevant for Spanish speakers. Experts rigorously evaluated the content validity of the adaptation, confirming that the items appropriately reflect the core concept of existential distress within this cultural context. Following this, initial psychometric testing was conducted with a non-clinical sample.

Early findings indicate that the Spanish version of the EDS demonstrates promising reliability and validity. The scale's internal consistency was high, suggesting its items coherently measure the same underlying construct. Furthermore, the expected factor structure was supported, and the tool showed significant correlations with measures of depression and anxiety, aligning with established theoretical understanding. This suggests the scale is effectively capturing psychological distress linked to existential issues.

This successful adaptation opens new avenues for research and clinical practice in Spanish-speaking communities. It will enable more precise study of how existential concerns manifest and impact well-being in these populations. For clinicians, it offers a standardized instrument to identify and address existential suffering, which is often a overlooked component of mental health, potentially leading to more comprehensive and effective therapeutic interventions. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to continue establishing the scale's robustness.