The psychometric properties of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) among Korean university students

Figures & data

Table 1. Goodness-of-fit indices of models for the GAD-7 (N = 582).

Model	k	χ^2	df	CFI	GFI	RMSEA (90% CI)	SRMR
One-factor model	7	139.8*	14	.95	.94	.124 (.106−.143)	.039
Two-factor model	7	138.4*	13	.95	.94	.129 (.110−.149)	.039
Modified one-factor model^a	7	92.6*	11	.97	.96	.010 (.092−.135)	.031

*p < .01.

^aRepresents a final model used in the study.

Notes: k = number of items; df = degrees of freedom; CFI = comparative fit index; GFI = goodness of fit index; RMSEA = root mean square error of approximation; SRMR = standardized root mean residual.

Table 2. Factor analysis oblique rotation solution for GAD-7 items.

GAD-7 item	Factor 1
1. Feeling nervous, anxious or on edge	.66
2. Not being able to stop or control worrying	.68
3. Worrying too much about different things	.49
4. Trouble relaxing	.72
5. Being so restless that it is hard to sit still	.63
6. Becoming easily annoyed or irritable	.46
7. Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen	.60

Figure 1. Modified one-factor model of the GAD-7 Factor: GAD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (N = 582; χ² = 92.6; df = 11; CFI = .97; GFI = .96; RMSEA = .010 (90% CI = .092−.135); SRMR = .031). All factor loadings were significant at p < .01.

Table 3. Standardized factor loadings for the modified model of the GAD-7.

GAD-7 item	Factor loadings
1. Feeling nervous, anxious or on edge	.81
2. Not being able to stop or control worrying	.83
3. Worrying too much about different things	.73
4. Trouble relaxing	.83
5. Being so restless that it is hard to sit still	.77
6. Becoming easily annoyed or irritable	.68
7. Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen	.79

Notes: N = 582.

All loadings are significant at p < .01.

Table 4. Means, Standard Deviations, and Cronbach’s α for the GAD-7.

GAD-7 item	M	SD	a
1. Feeling nervous, anxious or on edge	.58	.78
2. Not being able to stop or control worrying	.68	.86
3. Worrying too much about different things	1.1	1.1
4. Trouble relaxing	.57	.82
5. Being so restless that it is hard to sit still	.37	.65
6. Becoming easily annoyed or irritable	.67	.84
7. Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen	.36	.69
GAD-7 total score	4.3	.66	.91

Note: N = 582.

Table 5. GAD-7 correlations with DASS-21 subscales and PHQ-9.

	1	2	3	4	5
1. GAD-7
2. DASS-21-Depression	.78
3. DASS-21-Anxiety	.73	.77
4. DASS-21-Stress	.62	.84	.79
5. PHQ-9	.68	.69	.60	.62

Note: N = 582.

All correlations are significant at **p < .01.

DASS-21, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21; PHQ-9, Patient Health Questionnaire-9.