Psychometric properties of Nepalese preschool anxiety scale among preschool children: A cross‐sectional study

BACKGROUND: The Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS)‐Parent version scale is a 28‐item measure designed to assess anxiety symptoms in preschoolers aged 3−6 years. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Nepali translated version of the PAS‐Parent version. METHODS: A descriptive cross‐sectional design was used to collect data from 680 mothers among seven conveniently selected schools in Kathmandu. RESULTS: The difference in PAS‐Parent version scores across age groups was found to be statistically significant. In confirmatory factor analysis, 28 items showed a poor fit of the five‐factor original model for the data. However, removing three items (25 item version) through the five‐factor model indicated a better fit. Internal consistency measured by Cronbach's α for the PAS‐Parent version scale was of good range (0.87). Cronbach's α of the subscales: generalized anxiety (0.63), social phobia (0.67), physical injury fears (0.75), and separation anxiety (0.63) were in fair range; while it was in poor range for the obsessive‐compulsive subscale (0.567). CONCLUSION: Nepali version of the PAS demonstrated fair psychometric properties, supporting its utility in screening and assessing a broad range of anxiety symptoms in Nepalese preschoolers.