Abstract:
The data were obtained on 972 high school students (from 8th to 12th grade) – 286 boys,
670 girls and 16 missing. Exploratory factor analysis (PCA) extracts two traditional PSWQ
factors (eugenvalue>1): Worry engagement and Absence of worry. Testing the two-factors
model by confi rmatory factor analysis (LISREL 8.72, ML-method) however suggests that
the second factor is determinated by items formulations, e.g. the PSWQ appears to measure a
single unitary construct, but response patterns differ between positively worded and reversescored
items factor.
The Worry engagement and PSWQ total score have acceptable internal consistency
(Cronbach´s alpha 0,92 and 0,89). The PSWQ validity is supported by measurement and
structural models of other self-description scales for: obsessions and compulsions (PI-BG,
OCI-R), obsessive beliefs (OBQ-27) and thought suppression (WBSI). The paper discusses
also sex and age differences as well as the Bulgarian adolescent norms.
Results substantiate the use of PSWQ as research and assessment tool with adolescents.
