Psychometric validation of the consensus five-factor model of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.
BACKGROUND
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is widely used for clinical assessment of symptoms in schizophrenia. Instead of the traditional pyramidal model, recent literature supports the pentagonal model for the dimensionality of the PANSS.


OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed to validate the consensus five-factor model of the PANSS and evaluate its convergent validity.


METHODS
Participants were 146 Chinese chronic schizophrenic patients who completed diagnostic interviews and cognitive assessments. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was performed to investigate the dimensionality of the PANSS. Covariates (age, sex, and education level) and concurrent outcomes (perceived stress, memory, daily living functions, and motor deficits) were added in the ESEM model.


RESULTS
The results supported the consensus 5-factor underlying structure, which comprised 20 items categorized into positive, negative, excitement, depression, and cognitive factors with acceptable reliability (α=.69-.85) and strong factor loadings (λ=.41-.93). The five factors, especially the cognitive factor, showed evident convergent validity with the covariates and concurrent outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The results support the consensus five-factor structure of the PANSS as a robust measure of symptoms in schizophrenia. Future studies could explore the clinical and practical utility of the consensus five-factor model.
Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
Ted C T
TC
Fong
Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong; Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. Electronic address: tinho@hku.hk.
Rainbow T H
RT
Ho
Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
Adrian H Y
AH
Wan
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
Pantha Joey C Y
PJ
Siu
The Providence Garden for Rehab, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited, Hong Kong.
Friendly S W
FS
Au-Yeung
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032921:Consensus; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult