P-1060 - the Study of Factorial Structure, Validity and Reliability of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (pswq)

Abstract

Background

Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is an appropriate instrument for assessing of worry. Worry is the cognitive component of anxiety. It has a positive correlation with severity of the anxiety disorders. Preparing PWSQ and its psychometric index was necessary for Iranian students.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess factorial structures, validity and reliability of Pennsylvania State Worry Questionnaire.

Method

The English version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian with the standard procedures done for translating Psychological tests. 272 second grade high school students were selected by cluster sampling from different educational regions of City of Tehran. They completed PSWQ and principal components procedure by the Varimax rotation used for data analysis.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis showed that PSWQ is a one-dimensional instrument for worry. Validity according to internal consistency coefficients was 0.83. Correlation with metacognition 30 question questionnaire was 0.63 indicating convergence reliability. Correlation with the Spiel Berger Anxiety scale was 0.67, with trait anxiety scale 0.70, with state anxiety scale 0.58. This finding shows that the predictive reliability of the Questionnaire is acceptable.

Conclusion

According to the findings of this study PSWQ have good Psychometrics properties in Iranian population and can be used as a valid measurement in Psychological research.