title: Measurement of nicotine withdrawal symptoms: linguistic validation of the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) in Malay.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the linguistic validation of the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) was to produce a translated version in Malay language which was "conceptually equivalent" to the original U.S. English version for use in clinical practice and research.
  
  
  METHODS
  A seven-member translation committee conducted the translation process using the following methodology: production of two independent forward translations; comparison and reconciliation of the translations; backward translation of the first reconciled version; comparison of the original WSWS and the backward version leading to the production of the second reconciled version; pilot testing and review of the translation, and finalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Linguistic and conceptual issues arose during the process of translating the instrument, particularly pertaining to the title, instructions, and some of the items of the scale. In addition, the researchers had to find culturally acceptable equivalents for some terms and idiomatic phrases. Notable among these include expressions such as "irritability", "feeling upbeat", and "nibbling on snacks", which had to be replaced by culturally acceptable expressions. During cognitive debriefing and clinician's review processes, the Malay translated version of WSWS was found to be easily comprehensible, clear, and appropriate for the smoking withdrawal symptoms intended to be measured.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We applied a rigorous translation method to ensure conceptual equivalence and acceptability of WSWS in Malay prior to its utilization in research and clinical practice. However, to complete the cultural adaptation process, future psychometric validation is planned to be conducted among Malay speakers.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Awaisu
authors.forename: Sulastri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samsudin
authors.forename: Nur A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.forename: Che G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Omar
authors.forename: Mohd I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Hashim
authors.forename: Mohamed H Nik
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mohamad
authors.forename: Asrul A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Shafie
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hassali
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008037:Linguistics; D008296:Malaysia; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D014177:Translations
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine