Initial Reliability and Validity of the Symptoms Questionnaire-Korean Version (SQ-K)

Choi, Yun Kyeung; Kim, Jee Yeon; Kim, Yong Ku

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Kellner (1987)'s Symptom Questionnaire (SQ) consists of 4 scales, i.e. depression, anxiety, anger-hostility, and somatic scales. The SQ can be administered and scored by a lay person with brief training. In addition to the use for the self-rating of distress in research, the SQ can be a checklist in clinical practice. The SQ has been validated in translations in Korean. This paper is to test the initial reliability and validity of the Symptom Questionnaire-Korean version (SQ-K). METHOD: The SQ-K and other self-report scales (i.e. BDI, STAI, STAXI, & SCL-90-R) were administered to college students (n=103) and psychiatric patients (n=170) including 76 with mood disorders, 47 with anxiety disorders, 27 with somatoform disorders, and 20 with Hwabyung patients.
RESULTS
The test-retest coefficients of stability over a 2-week period ranged from .46 to .65 in a sample of college students. The SQ-K and subscales have good internal consistency, with an alpha ranged from .70 to .90. and good criterion-referenced validity. The SQ-K discriminated between college students with and without stress, psychiatric patients and college students, and among depressive, anxious, and Hwabyung groups.
CONCLUSION
The SQ-K is a tool for state measurement, and it is quite sensitive to change. The findings suggest that the Korean translations are valid and sensitive scales of distress, and it can be used effectively in research and clinical practice as the original is.