Spanish validation of the PSWQ: Factor structure and psychometric properties

Abstract

The present study validated the Spanish version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ; Meyer, Miller, Metzger & Borkovec, 1990) in a nonclinical sample (N = 1052). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the PSWQ indicated a structure of two correlated factors consistent with the dimensions “worry engagement” and “absence of worry”.. The PSWQ demonstrated good internal consistence and test-retest reliability. Correlations with variables of personality, anxiety and depression provided evidence of good convergent and discriminant validity of the questionnaire. Also, data support the hypothesis that the second factor, which was associated with inversely worded items, could represent more a method effects phenomenon than a substantive factor. The PSWQ-11, an abbreviated version of the PSWQ with the 5 inversely formulated items removed, possesses excellent psychometric properties and is proposed as an instrument to be preferred to the complete PSWQ for assessment of pathological worry. Normative data as to both the PSWQ and the PSWQ-11 are provided.