Gemma Balaguer

The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Trait Version: Does It Really Measure Anxiety?

To clarify what is actually measured by the trait version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1970), we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of various models and evaluated convergent and discriminant validity. The best fit was obtained with both a bifactor model, comprising 2 specific factors plus a general factor, and a 1-construct, 2-method model. The total score and the 2 method subscales of the STAI trait version were more strongly correlated with depression than with anxiety. In the bifactor model with 2 specific factors, the depression subscale showed stronger correlations with measures of depression than with measures of anxiety. The correlation of the hypothetical anxiety subscale with measures of depression was equivalent to or higher than its correlation with measures of anxiety. These results suggest that the questionnaire does not strictly evaluate anxiety but, rather, negative affect.

Outcome of cognitive‐behavioural therapy in training practice with anxiety disorder patients

OBJECTIVES This study aims to assess the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy applied by trainee therapists in patients with anxiety disorders seen in a private university service and to examine whether this effectiveness is comparable to that observed in controlled studies. DESIGN We compared the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy at a private centre with that observed in meta-analyses and reviews of controlled studies. METHODS Out of the 96 initial patients with anxiety disorder, 64 completed the cognitive-behavioural treatment and 59 also answered a series of questionnaires pre- and post-treatment. The effect size of the intervention was calculated, as were the percentages of patients who improved and those who recovered. RESULTS The pre-post effect size (1.09) was large, although somewhat lower than those observed in a meta-analysis of Spanish studies and in a range of international meta-analyses; moreover, twice as many hours of treatment were administered (M=27.4) and the drop-out rate was higher (33.3%). The percentages of patients who improved (61%) and those who recovered (52.5%) were roughly comparable to those reported in various reviews of studies performed in anxiety disorders. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive-behavioural therapy applied by trainee therapists in a private university service appears effective, although this efficacy may be somewhat lower than that in controlled studies. Moreover, the duration of treatment and the drop-out rate may be higher.