The Korean Version of Pandemic Stress Questionnaire: Validation in Korean Population

• Published in: Clinical psychopharmacology and neuroscience : the official scientific journal of the Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 377 - 385
• Main Authors: Park, Sori, Choi, Sang-Cheol, Yang, Chan-Mo, Jang, Seung-Ho, Lee, Sang-Yeol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology 30.05.2023; 대한정신약물학회
• Subjects: Original; 정신과학; COVID-19; Pandemics
• ISSN: 1738-1088; 2093-4327
• DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2023.21.2.377

The spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has acted as a significant stressor among individuals, causing a variety of psychological problems. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of stress caused by COVID-19 by translating and validating the Pandemic Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) in Korean, which measures stressful event caused by COVID-19. A statistical analysis was performed on 167 participants. The scale's internal consistency was verified using Cronbach's α. Furthermore, a correlation analysis was carried out to examine the relationships between Perceived Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-15, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form. Lastly, a multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of pandemic-related stressful events on depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Cronbach's α for Korean version of PSQ (K-PSQ) Severity was 0.79, and that for K-PSQ Event was 0.78. The results of the multiple regression analysis revealed that pandemic stress events have an effect on anxiety and somatic symptoms. The K-PSQ is a tool in which individuals can simultaneously measure the occurrence of stressful events caused by COVID-19 and the severity of stress that is often experienced as a result. It is expected that this tool will be useful in the mental health field for measuring COVID-19-related stress.