Reliability and validity of anxiety screening scale.
- Author:
Ji Yeon LIM
1
;
Seung Hoon LEE
;
Yeon Soon CHA
;
Hye Soon PARK
;
Sung SUNWOO
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
anxiety disorder;
screening;
questionnaire;
reliability;
validity
- MeSH:
Ambulatory Care Facilities;
Anxiety Disorders;
Anxiety*;
Diagnosis;
Humans;
Mass Screening*;
Primary Health Care;
Psychiatry;
Reproducibility of Results*;
Sensitivity and Specificity;
Seoul;
Weights and Measures;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine
2001;22(8):1224-1232
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a common disorder, but its diagnosis is often overlooked. Although there are several evaluating instruments, they are difficult to use in busy outpatient clinics because of its length. Furthermore, scales developed for screening are insufficient in the standardization. The purpose of this study is to measure reliability and validity of scale that can efficiently detect the anxiety patients in busy primary care setting. METHODS: With translation and assistance from psychiatrist, the questionnaire was developed. From March to July 2000, anxiety and control group at the department of family medicine in Seoul Joongang Hospital were tested with the questionnaire. After one week later, test was retaken. Reliability was verified by calculating Kappa value. Also validity was verified by comparing the scores between the anxiety group and the control group. Then sensitivity and specificity were evaluated, and the cutoff point was determined. RESULTS: Kappa values were ranging from 0.65 to 0.88. For each cutoff point 3, 4, 5, and 6 in total items, sensitivities were 99%, 97%, 82%, 64% and specificities were 55%, 75%, 94%, 98%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We translated an Goldberg's anxiety screening scale and estimated its reliability and validity. As the purpose was screening, we determined score 5 as the best cutoff points.
