Abstract
The Five-Factor Structure of the PANSS: A Critical Review of its Consistency Across Studies
Author(s): Catherine Lehoux , Marie-Hélène Gobeil , Andrée-Anne Lefèbvre ,Michel Maziade, Marc-André RoyGeneral Purpose: Twenty principal component analyses of the PANSS revealed that a five-factor solution representing positive, negative, disorganization, depression/anxiety and excitability/hostility symptoms better explained the scale structure than the original three-subscale solution. Our goal was to identify to which of these five factors each of the PANSS items could be attributed based on the consistency of published factor analyses. Methodology: For each study reporting a five-factor solution, the items were assigned to any of the five factors according to the factor on which it had the strongest factor loading. Items were then rated as reaching or not our between-study stability criteria of 70% of agreement. Results: Ten items did not meet our stability criteria: Grandiosity, Stereotyped thinking, Somatic concern, Tension, Mannerism/posturing, Disorientation, Lack of judgment/insight, Disturbance of volition, Preoccupation, and Active social avoidance. Conclusions: A broad and a narrow definition of the new PANSS structure are presented according to the stability level of every item.