Adaptation and Psychometric Features of the Korean Medical Academicians Stress Questionnaire for Iranian Medical Academicians

Background: Stress is a major factor affecting the mental health and academic performance of medical academicians, which necessitates the use of valid and reliable tools to measure it within their specific cultural and educational contexts. Given the unique circumstances of Iranian medical academicians, it is essential to adapt and validate the Korean Medical Academicians Stress Questionnaire (KMSSQ) to ensure it accurately captures the stressors they experience. Objectives: This study aimed to adapt and validate the KMSSQ for use among Iranian medical academicians, ensuring its cultural relevance and accuracy in reflecting the unique stressors they face. Methods: This study, focused on psychometric evaluation, included 900 medical academicians selected using stratified sampling from universities in Tehran. Participants completed both the KMSSQ and the occupational stress inventory (OSI). Face validity, content validity, concurrent validity, structural validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were evaluated using SPSS (version 21) and LISREL (version 8.8). The cut-off point of the questionnaire was determined using the ROC curve. Results: The KMSSQ demonstrated high face, content, and concurrent validity (r = 0.91). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified six factors that explained 60.41% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a six-dimensional construct. The questionnaire exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.93) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.91). The cut-off point was set at 120, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 85.23%. Conclusions: The KMSSQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing stress among Iranian medical academicians. It can be used for educational planning and psychological interventions, offering a culturally adapted measure that addresses the unique challenges faced by this group.