Development of the Korean Somatization Scale for Children: An Investigation of Reliability and Validity

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop the Korean Somatization Scale for Children (KSS-C) and to evaluate the reliability and validity of this scale. METHODS: Sixty-five children and adolescents with somatic symptoms were evaluated the KSS-C, Child Version, the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC). 65 parents of the subjects evaluated the KSS-C, Parent Version and Korean version of the Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL). Psychometric properties and associations with the internalizing symptoms were. RESULTS: Three factors were extracted by factor analysis. KSS-C was significantly correlated with the CDI, the STAIC, and the internalization, externalization and somatization scale of the K-CBCL. The KSS-C, Parent Version was significantly correlated with the KSS-C, Child Version. Frequently reported somatic symptoms in children were fatigue, headache, low energy, stoma-chache, and nausea. CONCLUSION: Both KSS-C, Child Version and KSS-P, Parent Version were valid and reliable instrument assess somatic symptoms in Korean children and adolescents.