Reliability and validity of the self-report version of the Panic Disorder Severity Scale in Korea.

BACKGROUND

The self-report version of the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS-SR) has been developed recently and has demonstrated good psychometric properties. However, there is no cross-cultural evaluation of this scale. The purpose of this study was to confirm the reliability and validity of the PDSS-SR in Korean subjects.

METHODS

We studied 148 patients with principal DSM-IV diagnoses of panic disorder who underwent formal structured diagnostic assessment and the PDSS interview. The participants completed self-report measures including the PDSS-SR, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised, Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Version.

RESULTS

The PDSS-SR had a single-factor structure, with all seven items having salient loadings. Cronbach's alpha for the PDSS-SR was .88 and intraclass correlation coefficient was .71 between PDSS-SR and PDSS. Also, the scale showed excellent 1-day test-retest reliability and demonstrated significant correlation with other anxiety-related measures. In addition, the PDSS-SR was sensitive to change with pharmacological treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study strongly support the reliability and validity of the PDSS-SR. It is expected that this scale will be helpful in clinical settings and research protocols in Korea.