Abstract

Distress overtolerance consists in a tendency to tolerate extreme levels of distress despite the negative consequences on one’s well-being. The present study examined and validated the Korean version of the Distress Overtolerance Scale (Gorey, Rojas, & Bornovalova, 2016). For this purpose, survey data from 286 university students were analyzed. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to identify the latent structure of the Korean version of the Distress Overtolerance Scale (K-DOS). Further, its convergent and discriminant validities were examined through a correlation analysis including the Grit Scale, Depression and Anxiety items of the Brief Symptoms Inventory, Cognitive Flexibility Scale, and Failed Control items of the Impaired Control Scale. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis based on a two-factor structure supported the validity, goodness of fit, and internal consistency of the K-DOS. Additionally, distress overtolerance showed a positive correlation with depression and anxiety, and a negative correlation with distress tolerance and cognitive flexibility. These findings suggest that the KDOS is a reliable and valid measure. This study also suggests that if the level of tolerating emotional distress is exceedingly high, it can be related to maladaptive psychological symptoms, including depression or anxiety. Finally, the limitations of the present study and suggestions for future studies are discussed.