Assessment of positive and negative cognitive factors related to panic disorder: Validation of the CATP

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Abbreviated Panic Disorder Questionnaire(CATP) and, in addition, the Panic Disorder Severity Scale–Self Report (PDSS-SR), in a sample of patients with a principal diagnosis of panic disorder (PD). The CATP comprises three separate short scales designed to assess cognitive constructs related to PD, being the Panic Catastrophic Misinterpretations Scale (PCMS), the Panic Self-efficacy Scale (PSES) and the Panic Severity Scale (PSS). Exploratory factor analyses showed a three-factor structure of the PCMS consistent with the three hypothesized dimensions of catastrophic misinterpretations, i.e., physical, mental and social. We also found a strong unidimensional structure for the remaining scales (PSES, PSS and PDSS). Data on reliability (internal consistency) and validity (convergent and discriminant) show that the scales have sound psychometric properties and could be useful instruments to assess positive and negative constructs related to PD.