The Latent Structure of Anxiety Sensitivity - Revisited
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2008
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Anxiety sensitivity has been implicated as a risk factor for the development and maintenance of panic and other anxiety disorders. Although researchers have generally assumed that anxiety sensitivity is a dimensional, rather than categorical, variable, recent taxometric research has raised questions concerning the accuracy of this assumption. The present study examined the latent structure of anxiety sensitivity by applying four taxometric procedures (MAXEIG, MAXCOV, MAMBAC, and L-Mode) to data collected from two large nonclinical samples (n = 1,025 and n = 744) using two distinct measures of anxiety sensitivity (Anxiety Sensitivity Profile and Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised). In contrast to previous taxometric analyses of anxiety sensitivity, results of the present research provided convergent evidence for a latent anxiety sensitivity dimension. Several potential explanations for the discrepancy between these findings and those of previous research are discussed, as well as the implications of these findings for the conceptualization and measurement of anxiety sensitivity.
Publication Title
Assessment
Volume
15
Issue
2
First Page
188
Last Page
203
Recommended Citation
Broman-Fulks, J. J.,
Green, B. A.,
Olatunji, B. O.,
Berman, M. E.,
Arnau, R. C.,
Deacon, B. J.,
Sawchuk, C. N.
(2008). The Latent Structure of Anxiety Sensitivity - Revisited. Assessment, 15(2), 188-203.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/1606
Comments
Erratum (Vol. 15, No. 3, p. 388)