Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine reliability and validity of the Turkish
Brief Measure of Worry Severity (BMWS) for assessing the level of dysfunctional
worry.
Method: The
study sample consisted of two different student groups from various faculties
of Hacettepe
University (age range:
17-25 years). First, data were collected from the group, composed of 210 female
and 170 male students to evaluate the scale's test re-test correlation, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and criterion and convergent
validity. Next, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory
(BAI) were administered to the other group, composed of 805 students to assess
distinctive validity of the Turkish BMWS. Students that scored over a quarter
on median of BDI were regarded as having severe depression symptoms and the
students that scored > 26% on BAI were regarded as having severe anxiety
symptoms. In this manner anxiety (12 male, 38 female) and depression groups (4
male, 10 female) were formed.
Results:
Following a series of analyses, test-retest correlation (r = 0.76) and internal
consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.88) of the Turkish
BMWS was determined to be statistically high. While the Turkish BMWS showed unifactorial construct, the scores of the scale
differentiated between the depression group and the anxiety group (depression
group: X = 8.14, SS = 4.03; anxiety group: X = 11.56, SS = 5.11). Furthermore,
the Turkish BMWS's correlations with the Name
Penn State
Worry Questionnaire (r = 0.75) and Trait
State Anxiety Inventory
(State Anxiety Inventory: r= 0.42; Trait Anxiety Inventory r = 0.72) were
statistically significant and supported the scale's construct validity.
Conclusion:
The results show that the Turkish BMWS is a reliable and valid scale for use
with Turkish university students.