Development, validation, and standardization of questionnaire measures for identifying increased anxiety in schoolchildren

Zubtsovskaya N.; Novikova I.; Aizman R.

doi:10.14529/jpps240404

N. A. Zubtsovskaya Novosibirsk Research Institute of Hygiene (7 Parkhomenko str., Novosibirsk, 630108, Russia) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6817-200X zubtsovskaya_na@niig.su
I. I. Novikova Novosibirsk Research Institute of Hygiene (7 Parkhomenko str., Novosibirsk, 630108, Russia) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1105-471X novikova_ii@niig.su
R. I. Aizman 1) Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University (28 Vilyuyskaya str., Novosibirsk, 630126, Russia); 2) Novosibirsk Research Institute of Hygiene (7 Parkhomenko str., Novosibirsk, 630108, Russia) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7776-4768 aizman.roman@yandex.ru

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14529/jpps240404

Keywords: anxiety, schoolchildren, signs and causes of anxiety, standardization of questionnaires

Abstract

Introduction. The increasing prevalence of anxiety disorders in children necessitates the development of effective diagnostic and etiological assessment tools, particularly for manifestations in collective settings. Aim. This study aims to create a practical tool for identifying the signs and causes of increased anxiety in schoolchildren, with a view to implementing preventive measures within educational organizations.
Materials and Methods. Standardized questionnaires were developed for students, parents, and teachers. Traditional validation and standardization procedures were employed using the validity index, Kendall Rank Correlation Coefficient, Cronbach's α, and stanines. A pilot test was conducted on a sample of 256 students from grades 6, 7, 8, and 10, as well as 256 parents and 12 teachers. Results. Expert evaluation determined that questionnaires 2 (possible causes of anxiety in children), 3 (preventive measures implemented through teachers), and 4 (preventive measures implemented through parents) were reasonable and suitable in content, while questionnaire 1 (signs of anxiety) required significant revision. The questionnaires had textual variations for different respondent groups but maintained identical meaning. The language was accessible to respondents across sex and age groups. Correlation analysis of responses from children, parents, and teachers, along with assessments of questionnaire reliability, demonstrated their consistency. Standardization was implemented using stanines, with proposed variants of resulting scores and weighting coefficients for intermediate scores. Conclusion. This research provides a technique for rapid assessment of anxiety indicators in children. It offers potential benefits for organizing preventive work and evaluating its effectiveness within educational settings.

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Author Biographies

N. A. Zubtsovskaya , Novosibirsk Research Institute of Hygiene (7 Parkhomenko str., Novosibirsk, 630108, Russia)

Researcher of the Organizational and Methodological Department

I. I. Novikova , Novosibirsk Research Institute of Hygiene (7 Parkhomenko str., Novosibirsk, 630108, Russia)

Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Director

R. I. Aizman , 1) Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University (28 Vilyuyskaya str., Novosibirsk, 630126, Russia); 2) Novosibirsk Research Institute of Hygiene (7 Parkhomenko str., Novosibirsk, 630108, Russia)

1) Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Professor of the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Life Safety, Director of the Research Institute of Health and Safety; 2) Chief Scientific Associate

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