Exploring the Tripartite Model of Depression and Anxiety in Chinese Youth: Translation and Validation of the PANAS-PH-C Scale

The tripartite model provides a framework to understand the shared and distinct characteristics of depression and anxiety disorders. However, there is a lack of specifically designed measures for assessing tripartite dimensions in Chinese youth. The aim of this study was to translate and test the psychometric characteristics of Positive Affect, Negative Affect, and Physiological Hyperarousal Scale for Children (PANAS-PH-C), and test the tripartite model in Chinese youth. This study included 3,136 elementary students (M age = 11.42, SD = 0.98). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of Chinese PANAS-PH-C. Additionally, one-way ANOVAs were performed to determine whether the tripartite model can differentiate between anxiety and depression in Chinese youth. The final PANAS-PH-C scale comprised 15 NA items (a = 0.920), 12 PA items (a = 0.916), and 17 PH items (a = 0.907). The EFA supported a three-factor model, with three PA items and one PH item removed due to low factor loadings. CFA confirmed good model fit, and measurement invariance was established across gender and grade levels. ANOVA results supported the tripartite model’s differentiation between anxiety and depression. This study advances the cross-cultural validation of the tripartite model and introduces a reliable tool for assessing the overlapping and distinct features of depression and anxiety in Chinese children. Future research should investigate the scale’s applicability across broader age groups and various cultural contexts to enhance its generalizability.