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Factor analysis of the items of the state‐trait anxiety inventory
Author(s) -
Barker Barbara M.,
Barker Harry R.,
Wadsworth Allen P.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(197704)33:2<450::aid-jclp2270330225>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - psychology , trait , anxiety , clinical psychology , trait anxiety , personality assessment inventory , social psychology , psychiatry , personality , computer science , programming language
The present investigation was designed to determine by factor analysis the nature of the items that comprise the A‐State and A‐Trait scales of the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory. Three factors were identified. Factor I was defined exclusively by items from the A‐State scale. The underlying dimension tapped by the scale was interpreted as state anxiety (how one feels at a particular moment in time); support thus was provided for Spielberger's A‐State concept. Items from the A‐Trait scale, however, identified two separate factors, neither of which was clearly consonant with Spielberger's concept of A‐Trait. Factor II appeared to tap state anxiety according to how the individual generally feels or a typical level of state anxiety as remembered over an indefiniteperiod of time. Factor III was interpreted as a meamre of neuroticism.