Comparison of factor structure models for the Beck Anxiety Inventory among cardiac rehabilitation patients.
Individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) experience greater rates of distress symptoms, such as anxiety and depressive symptoms, than the general population. These psychological outcomes have been linked to greater risk for negative outcomes following a cardiac event; however, research examining the relationship between specific components of anxiety and outcomes in CVD is limited. Further, prior research has not investigated the structure of anxiety symptoms in CVD. This study sought to compare previously established one, two, and four-factor models of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) in individuals enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation (CR).



Our sample included 208 individuals with CVD recruited during enrollment in a phase II CR program. Participants completed the BAI at enrollment in CR (Time 1) and again 12weeks later at CR completion (Time 2, n=151).



Consistent with prior literature, 41% of our sample reported at least mild symptoms of anxiety (BAI>8), and the BAI proved to be a reliable measure within this sample (α=0.89). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results indicated that a second-order model with four first order factors, consisting of cognitive, autonomic, neuromotor, and panic components, fit our data well. A multi-group CFA approach supported measurement invariance across time.



These results suggest that anxiety following CVD can be evaluated based on cognitive, autonomic, neuromotor, and panic components as well as the encompassing anxiety construct.
Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States; College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States. Electronic address: jillianclark@umkc.edu.
Jillian M R
JM
Clark
Division of Counseling and Educational Psychology, School of Education, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States.
Jacob M
JM
Marszalek
Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States.
Kymberley K
KK
Bennett
Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States.
Kadie M
KM
Harry
Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States.
Alisha D
AD
Howarter
Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States.
Kalon R
KR
Eways
College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.
Karla S
KS
Reed
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000639:trends; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
Anxiety; Beck Anxiety Inventory; Cardiac rehabilitation; Cardiovascular disease; Confirmatory factor analysis