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Factor mixture modeling of anxiety sensitivity: Support for the three-class solution in a Serbian sample
Marija Volarov1, Nicholas P Allan2, Ljiljana Mihić1
1Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, University of Novi Sad.
Psychological Assessment
|June 26, 2020
Summary
Anxiety sensitivity (AS), a fear of anxiety sensations, presents a hybrid structure. Factor mixture modeling identified three distinct classes: Normative, Moderate, and High AS, supporting a dimensional-categorical nature.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychopathology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a transdiagnostic risk factor for emotional disorders.
- AS is characterized by the fear of anxiety-related sensations and their perceived harmful consequences.
- The construct of AS has been conceptualized as multidimensional, including cognitive, physical, and social concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the latent structure of anxiety sensitivity (AS) using factor mixture modeling (FMM).
- To determine if AS is best represented as a continuous, categorical, or hybrid dimensional-categorical construct.
- To validate the findings across two independent Serbian samples.
Main Methods:
- Factor mixture modeling (FMM) was applied to analyze the latent structure of AS.
- The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) was administered to two samples: an adult community sample (N=359) and a young treatment-seeking sample (N=342).
- Model fit indices and external validity were used to compare different class solutions.
Main Results:
- Empirical evidence supported a three-class solution for the latent structure of AS.
- The identified classes were labeled as Normative AS, Moderate AS, and High AS.
- Results were consistent across both independent Serbian samples, aligning with recent research on the AS construct.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a hybrid dimensional-categorical latent structure for anxiety sensitivity.
- The three identified classes (Normative, Moderate, High AS) offer a nuanced understanding of the construct.
- These results have significant theoretical and practical implications for understanding and treating emotional disorders.
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