Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the Surgical Anxiety Questionnaire (SAQ)

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Turkish surgical anxiety questionnaire (SAQ) version. DesignThis study design was methodological. MethodsThe study was evaluated with construct validity, exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and convergent and discriminant validity. For scale reliability, internal consistency, Cronbach Alpha Coefficient, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and Inter-item Correlation Analysis, test-retest, and parallel forms methods were used. FindingsThe Turkish version of the surgical anxiety questionnaire consisted of a 3-factor structure, and the Cronbach's alpha value was 0.93. The CFA factor loads varied between 0.48-0.98. A positive, high correlation was found between SAQ and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Knowledge Scale (APASIS). A positive, moderate correlation between SAQ and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-1(STAI-1) was found. ConclusionSAQ has strong validity and reliability in the Turkish society. Nurses could use the SAQ to determine the anxiety level in surgical patients.