scholarly journals Η Αξιολόγηση της Παραγοντικής Δομής και των Ψυχομετρικών Χαρακτηριστικών του Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) στον Ελληνικό Πληθυσμό

Author(s):  
Δέσποινα Λιάλιου ◽  
Γεράσιμος Μεσίρης ◽  
Αικατερίνη - Αθανασία Ραμαντάνη ◽  
Ιωάννης Τσαούσης

The aim of this study was the adaptation of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) in the Greek language. Particularly, we were interested in investigating the factor structure of the scale, using a non-clinical sample (N = 184), aged 16-80 years old. In order to investigate the factorial structure of the measure we used confirmatory factor analysis. We tested three different models: the one-factor model (all items loading on one general worry factor), the two-factor model (two independent factors: Worry Engagement and Absence of Worry), and the three-factor model. The results showed that the three-factor model fitted the Greek data better, confirming the results from previous studies which suggested that PSWQ is a uni-dimensional worry instrument, in spite the fact that method effects appear to be associated with positively and negatively keyed items. Finally, the instrument demonstrated excellent internal consistency and mean inter-item correlations, which provide sound evidence regarding the consistency and homogeneity of the items in measuring the construct of worry.

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco José Ruiz ◽  
Andrea Monroy-Cifuentes ◽  
Juan Carlos Suárez-Falcón

The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is the gold standard measure of the unspecific worry that characterizes generalized anxiety disorder. This study aims to explore the validity of the PSWQ in Colombia and its measurement invariance across gender and clinical and nonclinical participants. An abbreviated, 11-item version of the PSWQ by Sandín, Chorot, Valiente, and Lostao (2009) was used because the negatively worded items have shown to be problematic for Spanish speakers. Additionally, research has suggested that the negatively worded items of the PSWQ lack of practical utility. The PSWQ-11 was administered to a total of 1045 participants, including a sample of nonclinical participants (N = 710) and a sample of clinical participants (N = 335). The internal consistency of the PSWQ-11 across samples was excellent. The one-factor model showed an acceptable fit to the data. Metric and scalar invariance were observed across gender and clinical and nonclinical samples. In conclusion, the PSWQ-11 seems to be a valid measure of GAD-related worry in Colombia, whereas data on factorial equivalence data warrant the comparison of scores across gender and clinical and nonclinical samples.


2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamel Gana ◽  
Bettina Martin ◽  
Marie-Dominique Canouet ◽  
Raphael Trouillet ◽  
Fiammetta Meloni

Summary: This study presents a French version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), the factorial structure of which was evaluated on a nonclinical sample of 668 adults. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that the French PSWQ is a one-dimensional worry instrument. However, the inclusion of method factors was needed to reach a good fit of the model. Method effects appear to be associated with negatively keyed items. Finally, the instrument demonstrated excellent internal consistency and good test-retest reliability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 372-372
Author(s):  
Robert Intrieri ◽  
Paige Goodwin

Abstract Prevalence of GAD is between 3 to 5% with onset in the early to mid-twenties (Kessler et al. 2009). The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is a 16-item self-report instrument assessing generalized anxiety symptoms (Meyers, et al., 1990; Molina & Borkovec, 1994). Brown (2003) and Olatunji et al. (2007) conducted Confirmatory Factor Analyses identifying a two factor model of Worry Engagement and Absence of Worry. No published studies have examined the factor structure of the PSWQ across age groups. The current study presents data from 612 people across three groups: 221 young adults (Mage = 19.31, SD = 1.21), 283 middle-age adults (Mage = 48.27, SD = 5.13), and 108 older adults (Mage = 72.95, SD = 7.19). An ordinal confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using robust weighted least squares (WLSMV) tested for invariance across groups. Results showed CFI/TLI values of .983/.981, 984/.983, and .981/.984 for Configural (CI), Metric (MI), and Scalar (SI) models. The RMSEA for CI, MI, and SI models was .064, .061, and .059. Based upon Cheung and Rensvold (2002), Sass (2011), and Chen (2007), a cutoff of ΔCFI ≥ 0.01 was established as evidence of invariance. The ΔCFI between CI and MI models was < .01 so analysis continued with the SI test. The ΔCFI between MI and SI models was < 0.01 and did not justify rejection of the null hypothesis. These analyses suggest PSWQ scores are valid across age groups and provide additional support for the multidimensional nature of the PSWQ.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Szabó ◽  
Veronika Mészáros ◽  
Judit Sallay ◽  
Gyöngyi Ajtay ◽  
Viktor Boross ◽  
...  

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to examine the construct and cross-cultural validity of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS; Beck, Weissman, Lester, & Trexler, 1974 ). Beck et al. applied exploratory Principal Components Analysis and argued that the scale measured three specific components (affective, motivational, and cognitive). Subsequent studies identified one, two, three, or more factors, highlighting a lack of clarity regarding the scale’s construct validity. In a large clinical sample, we tested the original three-factor model and explored alternative models using both confirmatory and exploratory factor analytical techniques appropriate for analyzing binary data. In doing so, we investigated whether method variance needs to be taken into account in understanding the structure of the BHS. Our findings supported a bifactor model that explicitly included method effects. We concluded that the BHS measures a single underlying construct of hopelessness, and that an incorporation of method effects consolidates previous findings where positively and negatively worded items loaded on separate factors. Our study further contributes to establishing the cross-cultural validity of this instrument by showing that BHS scores differentiate between depressed, anxious, and nonclinical groups in a Hungarian population.


2009 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin van der Heiden ◽  
Peter Muris ◽  
Arjan E. R. Bos ◽  
Henk van der Molen ◽  
Martijn Oostra

Author(s):  
João Tiago Oliveira ◽  
Divo Faustino ◽  
Fátima Freitas ◽  
Miguel M. Gonçalves ◽  
Eugénia Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Salud Mental ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 253-261
Author(s):  
Jesua Iván Guzmán-González ◽  
Franco Giordano Sánchez-García ◽  
Saúl Ramírez-de los Santos ◽  
Francisco Gutiérrez-Rodríguez ◽  
David Palomino-Esparza ◽  
...  

Introduction. Preventive measures taken during periods of health crisis, specifically in pandemics, have consistently been associated with detrimental effects on mental health. Isolation and loneliness are indirect effects of these preventive measures. Given these premises, monitoring the behavior of the population in the face of these eventualities becomes important. Worry as an indirect measure of anxiety and stress enables one to recognize subjects who are vulnerable to phenomena of high uncertainty, since measures taken to avoid excessive contagion can have high costs for this population. This phenomenon has been consistently observed in other pandemics such as H1/N1 influenza. Objective. To determine the prevalence of worry and perceived risk of contagion in the Guadalajara population during the COVID-19 quarantine and to identify differentiating effects. Method. A total of 255 people from western Mexico (Guadalajara, Jalisco) voluntarily participated by answering the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) adapted to Mexican population. The average age of the respondents, aged between 18 and 70 years, was 31.71 (± 5.19). A total of 170 women and 85 men participated in the study. Results. 40.12% of the population scored high levels of worry, making them vulnerable to mental health conditions. Subjects favored the prevention of a contagion regardless of whether they were self-isolated. The only variable that had a differential effect was sex (p < .05), and there were no differences in educational attainment, occupational demandingness, and isolation between the groups. Discussion and conclusion. A preventive attitude was observed among the participants, and so it is important to implement strategies that will prevent mental health costs in those who express excessive worry to avoid saturating mental health services.


Author(s):  
Hacer BELEN

Epidemics and pandemics are difficult periods for the affected community, specifically in the proliferation of mental health issues. In such adverse times, factors of psychological vulnerability such as propensity to worry and low emotional stability might have a detrimental effect on the mental health of the individuals. To investigate the impact of such factors on mental health, this study examined the impacts of propensity to worry and fear of COVID-19 on anxiety depending on the individuals’ levels of emotional stability. As a means of such investigation, this study was conducted based on quantitative data, and the research sample was selected using a convenient sampling method. Participants included 304 university students (71.6% were women and 28.4% were men; MAge = 22.37 ± 3.04) and responded to the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Symptom Checklist-90 Revised, and 10-Item Personality Inventory. The moderated mediation analysis using PROCESS macro (Model 14) was performed to examine the study hypotheses. Results revealed that propensity to worry was associated with anxiety symptoms. Fear of COVID-19 mediated this link and emotional stability moderated the relationship between propensity to worry and anxiety. The findings showed that trait worry, trait emotional stability, and fear of COVID-19 are determinants of anxiety symptoms, suggesting that such factors are important in understanding these issues.


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