Validation of the Chinese Version of the 16-Item Negative Symptom Assessment

The Negative Symptom Assessment-16 (NSA-16) is an instrument with significant validity and utility for assessing negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia. This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the NSA-16.

A total of 172 participants with schizophrenia were assessed with the NSA-16, Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and Rating Scale for Extrapyramidal Side Effects (RSESE). The factor structure of the NSA-16 was evaluated via exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficients were computed. Correlations were evaluated via Spearman correlation coefficient.

The original five-factor model of the NSA-16 did not fit our sample. Exploratory factor analysis followed by confirmatory factor analysis suggested a three-factor structure, consisting of communication, emotion and motivation, with 15 items. The NSA with 15 items was termed as the NSA-15. The NSA-15 showed excellent convergent validity by high correlations with the SANS and PANSS total and negative factor scores and good divergent validity by independence from the PANSS positive factor, CDSS and RSESE. The NSA-15 showed good internal consistency, interrater reliability and test-retest reliability.

The NSA-15 is best characterized by a three-factor structure and is valid for assessing negative symptoms of schizophrenia in Chinese individuals.