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Published on: September 12, 2014
The Lebanese Fear Inventory: a normative report
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|April 1, 1982
Summary
This study identified war-related anxiety reactions in Lebanese outpatients and developed a reliable 15-item inventory to measure these responses. Findings revealed significant sex differences in anxiety symptoms, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive mental health approaches.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- War-related anxiety is a significant public health concern, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Lebanon.
- Understanding the specific manifestations and prevalence of war-related anxiety is crucial for effective intervention.
- Existing assessment tools may not fully capture the nuances of anxiety reactions in diverse cultural contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the incidence and types of war-related anxiety reactions observed in a Lebanese outpatient setting.
- To develop and validate a reliable instrument for measuring war-related anxiety.
- To explore potential sex differences in war-related anxiety symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A 15-item Likert-type inventory was constructed to assess war-related anxiety.
- The inventory was administered to 206 outpatients with various somatic illnesses at a Lebanese clinic.
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, internal consistency estimates (Cronbach's alpha), and Hotelling T2 and F tests for sex differences.
Main Results:
- The developed inventory demonstrated good internal consistency for both male and female participants.
- Significant sex differences were identified in 13 of the 15 inventory items and in the total scores.
- The study successfully documented war-related anxiety reactions within the specified population.
Conclusions:
- The 15-item inventory is a reliable tool for assessing war-related anxiety in a Lebanese outpatient population.
- Sex differences in anxiety presentation underscore the importance of gender-sensitive mental healthcare.
- Further cross-cultural research is recommended to validate and adapt the instrument for broader use.
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