Taxometric and factor analytic models of anxiety sensitivity: Integrating approaches to latent structural research. |
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Authors: | Bernstein, Amit Zvolensky, Michael J. Norton, Peter J. Schmidt, Norman B. Taylor, Steven Forsyth, John P. Lewis, Sarah F. Feldner, Matthew T. Leen-Feldner, Ellen W. Stewart, Sherry H. Cox, Brian |
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Abstract: | This study represents an effort to better understand the latent structure of anxiety sensitivity (AS), as indexed by the 16-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI; S. Reiss, R. A. Peterson, M. Gursky, & R. J. McNally, 1986), by using taxometric and factor-analytic approaches in an integrative manner. Taxometric analyses indicated that AS has a taxonic latent class structure (i.e., a dichotomous latent class structure) in a large sample of North American adults (N = 2,515). As predicted, confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a multidimensional 3-factor model of AS provided a good fit for the AS complement class (normative or low-risk form) but not the AS taxon class (high-risk form). Exploratory factor analytic results suggested that the AS taxon may demonstrate a unique, unidimensional factor solution, though there are alternative indications that it may be characterized by a 2-factor solution. Findings suggest that the latent structural nature of AS can be conceptualized as a taxonic latent class structure composed of 2 types or forms of AS, each of these forms characterized by its own unique latent continuity and dimensional structure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved) |
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Keywords: | anxiety sensitivity taxometrics factor analysis anxiety disorders |
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