Abstract
Background. Anxiety sensitivity is a transdiagnostic concept that plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) is one of the most popular tools used to measure this construct. While it’s psychometric properties have primarily been evaluated in healthy populations, fewer studies have examined clinical populations. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric characteristics of the ASI-3 and compare groups with high and low levels of anxiety.
Methods. In this cross-sectional validation study, 364 participants (212 females, 152 males) were recruited using a convenience sampling method from an outpatient clinic affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Inclusion criteria were an initial diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and providing informed consent. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) were administered alongside the ASI-3 to assess convergent validity. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and AMOS version 24.
Results. Exploratory factor analyses confirmed a three-factor model (cognitive, social, and physical) with acceptable Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for each factor (0.88, 0.82, and 0.86, respectively) and the overall scale (0.92). No significant differences were observed in the factor structure between the groups with high and low anxiety levels, and the three-factor model demonstrated the best fit for both groups. Additionally, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale demonstrated good convergent validity.
Conclusion. The Persian version of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the dimensions of anxiety sensitivity in an Iranian clinical population. This tool can be effectively utilized in clinical assessment, case formulation, and future studies on anxiety and related disorders in Iran.
Practical Implications. This validated instrument enables clinicians to personalize therapeutic interventions for Iranian patients by accurately assessing the dimensions of anxiety sensitivity, thereby enhancing treatment effectiveness.