title: Factor structure and concurrent validity of the world assumptions scale.
abstract: The factor structure of the World Assumptions Scale (WAS) was assessed by means of confirmatory factor analysis. The sample was comprised of 1,710 participants who had been exposed to trauma that resulted in whiplash. Four alternative models were specified and estimated using LISREL 8.72. A correlated 8-factor solution was the best explanation of the sample data. The estimates of reliability of eight subscales of the WAS ranged from .48 to .82. Scores from five subscales correlated significantly with trauma severity as measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, although the magnitude of the correlations was low to modest, ranging from .08 to -.43. It is suggested that the WAS has adequate psychometric properties for use in both clinical and research settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark. aske@psy.au.dk
authors.forename: Ask
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elklit
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shevlin
authors.forename: Zahava
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dekel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012938:Social Perception; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000523:psychology*