The factor structure of the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index in German children

J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2008 Dec;39(4):404-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2008.01.001. Epub 2008 Jan 18.

Abstract

The factor structure of the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI) was investigated in four nonclinic German samples (N=1244, 225, 230, and 143) with participants aged 8-16-years-old. Factor solutions suggested for different CASI versions were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The best goodness-of-fit indices were found for the 13-item CASI version with 4 factors (Disease Concerns, Unsteady Concerns, Mental Incapacitation Concerns, and Social Concerns). Testing for factorial invariance of this model with respect to age and gender revealed non-invariant factor loadings between children and adolescents as well as between boys and girls. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings for anxiety sensitivity in children and adolescents are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Child
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Fear / psychology
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychology, Adolescent
  • Psychology, Child*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sex Factors
  • Students / psychology
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Switzerland / epidemiology