Psychometric Properties of the General Anxiety Disorders-7 Scale Using Categorical Data Methods: A Study in a Sample of University Attending Ethiopian Young Adults

Md Dilshad Manzar; Ahmad H Alghadir; Shahnawaz Anwer; Mazen Alqahtani; Mohammed Salahuddin; Habtamu Acho Addo; Wakuma Wakene Jifar; Nofaa Ali Alasmee

doi:10.2147/NDT.S295912

Psychometric Properties of the General Anxiety Disorders-7 Scale Using Categorical Data Methods: A Study in a Sample of University Attending Ethiopian Young Adults

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2021 Mar 22:17:893-903. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S295912. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Md Dilshad Manzar¹, Ahmad H Alghadir², Shahnawaz Anwer^{2

3}, Mazen Alqahtani⁴, Mohammed Salahuddin^{5

6}, Habtamu Acho Addo⁵, Wakuma Wakene Jifar⁷, Nofaa Ali Alasmee⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia.
² Rehabilitation Research Chair, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Building and Real Estate, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
⁴ Department of Physiotherapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University (Mizan Campus), Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia.
⁶ Pharmacology Division, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA.
⁷ Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Science, Mettu University, Metu, Ethiopia.
⁸ Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Few studies have investigated the psychometric validation of the General Anxiety Disorders-7 Scale (GAD-7) using appropriate data assumptions. This study examined the reliability, factorial validity, divergent validity, and item analysis of the GAD-7 using categorical data methods in a sample of Ethiopian young adults.

Methods: A sample of 270 students in the age group (18-20 years) was recruited during February-May of 2017 in this cross-sectional study using simple random sampling. The participants completed a tool for socio-demographic details, the GAD-7, and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10).

Results: The cumulative variance rule (> 40%), the scree test, Kaiser's criteria (Eigenvalues > 1), and the parallel analysis found a 1-factor model for the GAD-7 (factor loadings, 0.38 to 0.63). Fit indices suggested a 1-factor model: the tests applied included the weighted root mean square residual (0.030), comparative fit index (1.000), the goodness of fit index (1.00), root mean square error of approximation (0.037) and the non-normed fit index (1.00). McDonald's Omega (0.772) implied that the scores had adequate internal consistency. Divergent validity was supported by significant but weak correlations that were found between the GAD-7 and PSS-10 scores (r = 0.11 to 0.25, p<0.05).

Conclusion: The psychometric validity of the GAD-7 in Ethiopian university attending young adults was supported by the categorical data method.

Keywords: Africa; McDonald’s omega; anxiety; factor analysis; stress.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University and Majmaah University. The funder had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.