Validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS-K) for use in clinical practice and research on Korean smokers.

The Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale was translated into Korean and then back-translated into English. The authors reviewed the translation and back-translation and approved the final questionnaire draft. The validity and reliability of the WSWS-K were evaluated based on data collected from 300 participants. Construct validity was evaluated with a confirmatory factor analysis. Criterion-related validity was assessed by examining the relationships between the subscales of the WSWS-K and the matched items of the Korean version of the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS-K).

The participants were predominantly male (93.6%) and the mean age was 59.23 ± 15.19 years. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that fit indices (namely, the goodness-of-fit index, adjusted goodness-of-fit index, comparative fit index, and the normed fit index) exceeded or approached 0.9. Cronbach's alpha for the entire scale was 0.87. The total score of the WSWS-K had a statistically significant positive correlation with that of the MNWS-K (Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.768; p < 0.01). Additionally, we performed linear regression between the WSWS-K and MNWS-K scores after adjusting for age, gender, comorbidity, and smoking history. After this adjustment, the p value of the WSWS- K was < 0.001.

The WSWS-K had satisfactory validity and reliability. The WSWS- K can be used with acceptable validity and reliability in research and clinical evaluation of Korean smokers.