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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Advancing Dyslexia Assessment in Children Through Computerized Testing

Advancing Dyslexia Assessment in Children Through Computerized Testing

Published on: August 16, 2024

Factor structure and concurrent validity of the world assumptions scale.

Ask Elklit¹, Mark Shevlin, Zahava Solomon

¹Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark. aske@psy.au.dk

Journal of Traumatic Stress

|June 29, 2007

Summary

The World Assumptions Scale (WAS) has an 8-factor structure suitable for trauma research. Its reliability is adequate, with some subscales correlating with trauma severity, supporting its clinical and research use.

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Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Advancing Dyslexia Assessment in Children Through Computerized Testing

Advancing Dyslexia Assessment in Children Through Computerized Testing

Published on: August 16, 2024

Area of Science:

Psychology
Psychometrics
Trauma Studies

Background:

The World Assumptions Scale (WAS) is used to assess core beliefs.
Understanding the factor structure of the WAS is crucial for its valid application.
Previous research has not fully elucidated the WAS factor structure in trauma populations.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine the factor structure of the World Assumptions Scale (WAS).
To assess the reliability and validity of the WAS in a trauma-exposed sample.

Main Methods:

Confirmatory factor analysis was employed using LISREL 8.72.
The study included 1,710 participants with whiplash-related trauma.
Four alternative models were tested to determine the best fit.

Main Results:

A correlated 8-factor solution provided the best fit for the data.
Reliability estimates for the eight subscales ranged from .48 to .82.
Five subscales showed significant, albeit low to modest, correlations with trauma severity (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire).

Conclusions:

The World Assumptions Scale demonstrates adequate psychometric properties.
The 8-factor structure supports the use of the WAS in clinical and research settings involving trauma survivors.