Taxometric and factor analytic models of anxiety sensitivity: integrating approaches to latent structural research.
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.
Bernstein
Amit
A
Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405-0134, USA. Amit.Bernstein@uvm.edu
Zvolensky
Michael J
MJ
Norton
Peter J
PJ
Schmidt
Norman B
NB
Taylor
Steven
S
Forsyth
John P
JP
Lewis
Sarah F
SF
Feldner
Matthew T
MT
Leen-Feldner
Ellen W
EW
Stewart
Sherry H
SH
Cox
Brian
B
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal; D003469:Culture; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology