Abstract
Purpose
To assess the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (J-DRSP, 24 items) for evaluating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and to develop a short form version of the J-DRSP.
Methods
Using the “DRSP-JAPAN” smartphone app, we collected daily J-DRSP records from 7 days before to 10 days after each participant’s menstruation onset date. Factorial validity (exploratory factor analysis: EFA, confirmatory factor analysis: CFA) and criterion validity were examined. We evaluated test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation: ICC) and obtained Cronbach's alpha coefficients. The short-form version of the J-DRSP was developed using classical test theory.
Results
In total, 304 women participated and 243 recorded symptoms on at least 4 days spanning the week of the luteal phase (CD-6 to CD0) and 4 days spanning the week of the follicular phase (CD4 to CD10), with CD1 representing the menstruation onset date. With CD0 set as one day before menstruation onset date, the EFA revealed a two-factor structure. KMO was 0.992, and Bartlett's test of sphericity chi-square was 3653.89 (P < 0.001). However, the model fitness of CFA was found to be suboptimal (CFI: 0.83, RMSEA: 0.12). Total scores for J-DRSP and the sum scores for each subscale were higher on CD10 than on CD0 (p < 0.001), suggesting validity for some criteria. ICC values for the total J-DRSP score from CD0 to CD-1, and between CD9 to CD-10, were 0.60 (95% CI: 0.48–0.72) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69–0.82), respectively. For participants reporting significant interference in their daily life one day out of CD-1 and CD0 or CD9 and CD10, ICCs were 0.79 (0.68–0.86) among 76 participants and 0.88 (0.76–0.84) among 30 participants. Having eliminated some original items after considering factor loading for each item, we developed an 8-item Short-Form J-DRSP (J-DRSP(SF)) comprising 2 factors (S-Psychological and S-Physical, 4 items for each). CFA showed a better model fit (CFI: 0.99, RMSEA: 0.048) with significantly higher scores for the J-DRSP(SF), S-Psychological, and S-Physical in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase (p < 0.001). Cronbach's alphas for the J-DRSP(SF), S-Psychological, and S-Physical were 0.89, 0.89, and 0.80, respectively. ICC values for the J-DRSP(SF) in the luteal and follicular phases were 0.61 (95%CI: 0.51–0.68) and 0.70 (95%CI: 0.62–0.77), respectively.
Conclusion
The J-DRSP has moderate to good reliability and certain level of validity. The J-DRSP(SF) has a two-factor structure and can be used effectively among Japanese women to assess their PMS symptoms.
Psychometric Testing of the Japanese Version of the Daily Record of Severity of Problems Among Japanese Women
