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PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE DIMENSIONAL ANXIETY SCALES FOR DSM ‐V IN AN UNSELECTED SAMPLE OF GERMAN TREATMENT SEEKING PATIENTS
Author(s) -
BeesdoBaum Katja,
Klotsche Jens,
Knappe Susanne,
Craske Michelle G.,
LeBeau Richard T.,
Hoyer Jürgen,
Strobel Anja,
Pieper Lars,
Wittchen HansUlrich
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
depression and anxiety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6394
pISSN - 1091-4269
DOI - 10.1002/da.21994
Subject(s) - agoraphobia , discriminant validity , psychology , anxiety , clinical psychology , specific phobia , panic disorder , convergent validity , dsm 5 , categorical variable , anxiety disorder , generalized anxiety disorder , psychometrics , psychiatry , confirmatory factor analysis , structural equation modeling , statistics , mathematics , machine learning , computer science , internal consistency
Background Dimensional assessments are planned to be included as supplements to categorical diagnoses in DSM ‐V. The aim of this study was to examine the unidimensionality, reliability, validity, and clinical sensitivity of brief self‐rated scales for specific anxiety disorders in an unselected G erman sample of consecutive attendees to a psychological clinic. These scales use a common template to assess core constructs of fear and anxiety. Methods Dimensional scales for social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder were administered along with established scales to 102 adults seeking treatment for mental health problems at a G erman university outpatient clinic for psychotherapy. The computer‐assisted clinical version of the M unich‐ C omposite I nternational D iagnostic I nterview was used to assess mental disorders according to DSM ‐IV criteria. Dimensionality and scale reliability were examined using confirmatory factor analyses. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined by testing differences in the size of correlations between each dimensional anxiety scale and each of the previously validated scales. Each dimensional scale's ability to correctly differentiate between individuals with versus without an anxiety diagnosis was examined via the area under the curve. Results Analyses revealed unidimensionality for each scale, high reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity. Classification performance was good to excellent for all scales except for specific phobia. Conclusions The application of the dimensional anxiety scales may be an effective way to screen for specific anxiety disorders and to supplement categorical diagnoses in DSM ‐V, although further evaluation and refinement of the scales (particularly the specific phobia scale) is needed.