Dimensions of anxiety sensitivity: Confirmatory evidence for a hierarchic structure

Abstract

Although the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI; Reiss, Peterson, Gursky & McNally, 1986) is the most frequently used measure of the anxiety sensitivity construct, its dimensionality is yet a controversial issue. The present study examined the factor structure of the Spanish ASI in a sample of 726 university students (ranging in age from 18 to 34 years). The authors tested some current alternative models, including a hierarchical factor model. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated a hierarchical factor structure consisting of 3 lower-order factors and 1 higher-order factor; the lower-order factors were conceptually similar to the ones reported by Zinbarg, Barlow & Brown (1997) and Stewart, Taylor & Baker (1997), i.e., physical concerns, cognitive dyscontrol concerns, and social concerns. No differences were found between males and females. Some implications of these findings for psychopathology of anxiety disorders are discussed.