Design and Psychometric Evaluation of the Iranian Version of Public Awareness of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Scale: A Mixed Methods Study

Background & Objectives: Awareness of the symptoms of anxiety and depression, two prevalent psychiatric disorders, can significantly contribute to the diagnosis, management, and prevention of mental health conditions. The assessment and measurement of awareness levels regarding anxiety and depression symptoms necessitate the utilization of specialized and validated instruments in this domain. This study was conducted with the aim of designing and psychometrically evaluating the Iranian version of Public Awareness of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Scale. Materials & Methods: The present study employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods design and was conducted in two distinct phases. In the qualitative phase, questionnaire items were initially extracted. Subsequently, in the quantitative phase, the validation of the designed instrument was undertaken, utilizing face validity, content validity; construct validity, internal consistency, and stability assessments. Results: The initial questionnaire comprised 42 items, which were reduced to 30 items following multiple sessions and revisions by the research team. According to the results of the exploratory factor analysis, factor loadings for the items ranged from 0.57 to 0.89, all of which were statistically significant. The two dimensions introduced in the original instrument were confirmed with acceptable values. The intra-class correlation coefficient for the entire instrument was calculated at 0.92. Furthermore, the reliability of the instrument, assessed through internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha, was determined to be 0.98 for the entire instrument. Conclusion: The present questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing public awareness of anxiety and depression symptoms. Consequently, healthcare system managers and policymakers can employ this tool to evaluate public awareness of anxiety and depression symptoms.