The application of a revised Chinese version of the state-trait anxiety inventory in migrant children

Objective To conduct a preliminary examination of the factor structure and the reliability and validity of a revised Chinese version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y (STAI-Y) by using the large sample of migrant children. Methods Perform Exploratory Factor Analysis with half of the data (n=5477) from a large-scale questionnaire survey of students in Grades 4-9 at 58 schools for migrants in Beijing, then conduct Confirmatory Factor Analysis with the other half (n=5476). Results The results of state anxiety and trait anxiety both showed two factors. However, the indicators of trait anxiety were not ideal as seen from the following: the total explained variance was 39.22%, the relationship between the factors and items was not in accordance with the original English version, and the correlation between the two factors was unstable in the different samples(r=-0.17, P<0.001; r=-0.06, P<0.001). In addition, the factor loading of items 24 ( I wish I could be as happy as others ) was low. Conclusion The state anxiety portion of this revised Chinese version of the STAI-Y is structured by the factors state anxiety present and state anxiety absent , and with good reliability and validity as well. Nevertheless, the trait anxiety portion of this revised Chinese version of the STAI-Y is structured by the factors trait anxiety present and trait anxiety absent , it shows unstable reliability and validity. Key words: State anxiety; Trait anxiety; Migrant children; Factor analysis