The Turkish Version of the Modified Agitation Severity Scale: Validity and Reliability Study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychometric Evaluation

Background:

• Agitation is a common and challenging symptom in psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
• Accurate assessment of agitation is crucial for effective treatment and patient safety.
• Existing scales may require adaptation for specific cultural and linguistic contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Modified Agitation Severity Scale (MASS).
• To assess the psychometric properties of the Turkish MASS in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
• To establish a practical and standardized instrument for agitation assessment in Turkish psychiatric settings.

Main Methods:

• The Turkish MASS was developed through translation, back-translation, expert review, and pilot testing.
• Reliability was assessed using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) and Cronbach's alpha.
• Construct validity was examined via correlations with the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS).
• Criterion validity was determined by comparing scores between patients needing intervention and those not.

Main Results:

• The Turkish MASS demonstrated strong internal consistency (KR-20 = 0.863, Cronbach's alpha = 0.828).
• Significant correlations between MASS and OAS scores supported construct validity.
• Patients requiring intervention showed significantly higher MASS scores than those not requiring intervention (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• The Turkish version of the MASS is a valid, reliable, and practical tool for assessing agitation.
• This standardized instrument facilitates timely detection and early intervention for agitated patients.
• The Turkish MASS contributes to improved patient safety in psychiatric care settings.