Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) in the Greek Population


Published: Oct 15, 2020
Keywords:
Cross-cultural adaptation PSWQ Factor structure Worry Confirmatory factor analysis
Δέσποινα Λιάλιου
Γεράσιμος Μεσίρης
Αικατερίνη - Αθανασία Ραμαντάνη
Ιωάννης Τσαούσης
Abstract

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.

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