Psychometric evaluation of a Serbian adaptation of the anxiety sensitivity index (ASI-3)

Abstract

© 2018 Faculty of Philosophy University of Novi Sad Serbia. All Rights Reserved. The main purpose of this study was to investigate validity and psychometric properties of the third revision of Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-3) in a sample of general population from Serbia. Total sample was comprised of 553 participants of both gender aged 18-60 years (82.1% female). Results from Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicated that a bifactor model with one general factor of general anxiety sensitivity and three specific factors (physical, cognitive, and social concerns) had the best fit to empirical data. IRT results (2PL model) led to a conclusion that the ASI-3 items are relatively difficult. In other words, this questionnaire has better measurement performance in individuals with moderate and high trait levels. The ASI-3 also showed excellent convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity. Several items with poor performance within general population were identified (low information and discrimination parameters value, but high difficulty parameter value). Finally, its predictive power was demonstrated above and beyond Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS; Anxiety). Our results are consistent with earlier findings considering the bifactor structure of the ASI-3, and provide support for the theoretical assumption that anxiety sensitivity is a unique construct. Research and clinical implications were discussed.