ABSTRACT
Objective To develop a simple,multi-dimensional self-screening questionnaire for som-atoform symptoms(SQSS). Methods Based on theoretical framework,the study developed the items of the questionnaire. The first draft of the questionnaire was screened through the expert evaluation method. Four groups of 359 subjects were selected to test the reliability and validity of questionnaire. Results The explor-atory factor analysis showed that the four factors(somatic symptoms,negative perception,illness behavior and social function) were extracted and the interpretable percentage of variance was 61. 165%. The correlation between the subscales and the total scales was 0. 740-0. 887,and the correlation coefficient between the sub-scales was 0. 503-0. 625. The Crobanch's α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0. 926,and the Spearman-Brown score of the questionnaire was 0. 868. The retest correlation coefficient of the total scale was 0. 876. A cutoff of 23 points in the SQSS was identified for screening somatoform disorders, and the sensitivity was 0. 880 and the specificity was 0. 606. Conclusion SQSS has good reliability and validity,and can be prelim-inarily used as a self-screening tool for patients with somatoform symptoms or disorders in clinical settings.