Nigar G. Khawaja

A Comparison of the 27-Item and 12-Item Intolerance of Uncertainty Scales.

The 27-item Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) has become one of the most frequently used measure of Intolerance of Uncertainty. More recently, an abridged, 12-item version of the IUS has been developed. The current research used clinical (n = 50) and non-clinical (n = 56) samples to examine and compare the psychometric properties of both versions of the IUS. The two scales showed good internal consistency at both the total and subscale level and had satisfactory test-retest reliability. Both versions were correlated with worry and trait anxiety and had satisfactory concurrent validity. Significant differences between the scores of the clinical and non-clinical sample supported discriminant validity. Predictive validity was also supported for the two scales. Total scores, in the case of the clinical sample, and a subscale, in the case of the non-clinical sample, significantly predicted pathological worry and trait anxiety. Overall, the clinicians and researchers can use either version of the IUS with confidence, due to their sound psychometric properties.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ANXIETY: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE SYMPTOMS, COGNITIONS, AND SENSITIVITY TOWARDS ANXIETY IN A NONCLINICAL POPULATION

The current investigation sought to determine whether any observable gender differences existed in the expression of symptoms, cognitions, and sensitivity towards anxiety for a nonclinical sample of 50 males and 50 females, matched for age and social desirability response bias. To investigate this, a between groups study was employed which compared the male and female groups on the Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck & Steer, 1993); Catastrophic Cognitions Questionnaire –Modified (Khawaja, Oei & Banglioni, 1994); Anxiety Sensitivity Index (Reiss, Peterson, Gurskey & McNally, 1986); and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Crowne & Marlowe, 1960). Multivariate analyses of variance revealed that females reported higher concern than males regarding the cognitive misinterpretation of the symptoms and beliefs of anxiety. In the context of these results, it would appear that cognitive factors play the most important role towards our understanding of gender differences in anxiety within the nonclinical population. The strengths, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Catastrophic cognitions in panic disorder with and without agoraphobia.

The cognitive models of panic disorder with (PDA) or without (PD) agoraphobia are now widely recognised. These models propose that patients misinterpret external or internal cues in a catastrophic manner and as a result of these catastrophic cognitions the symptoms are maintained. There is now a large body of empirical evidence for this proposal and the aim of this paper is to systematically review the literature to evaluate whether the empirical evidence supports the contribution of catastrophic cognitions to PD and PDA. Empirical studies using different methodologies, such as interview, questionnaire, self-monitoring, and in vivo techniques are reviewed. The results indicate there is substantial empirical evidence in support of the central role of catastrophic cognition in cognitive models. Different methodologies provided convergent support for the importance of catastrophic cognitions in the maintenance of panic disorder and agoraphobia. Limitations in the interpretation of the existing research are highlighted and future research directions are proposed.

Modification of the catastrophic cognitions questionnaire (CCQ-M) for normals and patients: Exploratory and LISREL analyses

The Recently developed Catastrophic Cognition Questionnaire (CCQ) was further investigated using both student and anxiety patient samples. LISREL confirmatory factor analyses was used. The results showed that the CCQ could be explained by a three-factor oblique solution. These are Emotional Catastrophes, Physical Catastrophes, and Mental Catastrophes. The modified version of CCQ (CCQ-M) revealed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity. It has also good discriminant validity. The CCQ-M can therefore be used with both normal and anxiety-disordered patients.

Development of a catastrophic cognition questionnaire

Catastrophic cognitions are theorized to be an important construct for the development and maintenance of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. However, there is a lack of reliable and valid self-report instruments for measuring catastrophic cognitions. This study presents the development and validation of the Catastrophic Cognition Questionnaire (CCQ) using 507 students from introductory psychology classes. Factor Analysis yielded a five-factor solution, which accounted for 54% of the total variance. The five are the Emotional, Physical, Mental, Social, and Bodily Catastrophes factors. The CCQ shows good reliability with Cronbachs Alpha for individual scales ranging from .86 to .94. The CCQ has good discriminant validity and correlates moderately with other self-report questionnaires that measure anxiety and cognitions associated with anxiety problems.

An Investigation of the Psychological Distress of Muslim Migrants in Australia

The present study investigates the psychological distress of Muslims migrants in Brisbane, Australia. Literature indicates that a range of demographic and psychosocial factors are related to the psychological distress of the migrants. Two hundred and eighty Muslims were asked to complete a variety of questionnaires in either the English or Arabic language. A series of analyses of variances indicated that participants’ psychological distress was affected by their marital and visa statuses. Further, hierarchical regression indicated that psychological distress of the participants was predicted by their perceived difficulties with the English language, lack of social support, and tendency to use emotional and avoidance coping. It is expected that the studys findings will assist mental health workers, working in multicultural settings, to understand and treat the mental health issues of Muslim migrants in Australia.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Psychometric Properties of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index - Revised in Clinical and Normative Populations

The present investigation aimed to critically examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index – Revised (ASI-R). Confirmatory factor analysis using a clinical sample of adults (N = 248) revealed that the ASI-R could be improved substantially through the removal of 15 problematic items in order to account for the most robust dimensions of anxiety sensitivity. This modified scale was re-named the 21-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (21-item ASI) and re-analysed with a large sample of normative adults (N = 435), revealing configural and metric invariance across groups. Further, comparisons with other alternative models indicated the 21-item ASI to be the best fitting model for both groups. There was also evidence of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity for both samples suggesting that the 21-item ASI is a useful assessment device for investigating the construct of anxiety sensitivity in both clinical and normative populations.

Taiwanese migrants in Australia: An investigation of their acculturation and wellbeing

Taiwanese migrants who have settled in Brisbane, Australia (N = 271) completed a questionnaire battery available in both Mandarin and English. A series of multiple and hierarchical regression analyses were used to investigate the factors associated with these migrants’ acculturation and indicators of psychological wellbeing. Results indicated that various personal factors (age, English language proficiency, and duration of stay) were associated with acculturation and indicators of psychological wellbeing. Acculturation was not associated with wellbeing. Social support was associated with the indicators of the participants’ wellbeing. The outcome indicated that although associated with similar personal and environmental factors, acculturation and psychological wellbeing occurred separately. The study highlights the significance of certain personal resources and social support.

An Investigation of the Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the COPE Scale With a Muslim Migrant Population in Australia

The factor structure and the psychometric properties of the COPE Scale were evaluated with a Muslim migrant population in Australia. An exploratory factor analysis on 319 participants indicated a 34-item scale with four factors as the most meaningful solution. The factors were: Avoidance Coping, Active Coping, Emotion and Social Focused Coping, and Turning to Religion. The internal consistency, concurrent validity, and the construct validity of the scale were supported. The findings indicate the coping styles of Muslim migrants in Australia. It is expected that this scale would be a useful measure to assess the coping behaviors and thoughts of Muslim migrants and their association with the well-being and psychosocial problems of these individuals.

Anxious Thoughts and Tendencies Scale: an investigation of factor structure and the psychometric properties on the basis of an Australian sample

BACKGROUND The factor structure and psychometric properties of the revised Anxious Thoughts and Tendencies Scale (AT&T) is investigated. METHODS An Australian sample of 215 students and 33 patients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder completed a battery of anxiety-related questionnaires. RESULTS Factor analysis indicated one factor, which accounted for 38% of the variance and had high internal consistency and reliability. Significant relationships were found with measures of anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, catastrophic cognitions, fear and depression. The AT&T discriminated between students and patients, and between students with high or low levels of anxiety and fear. LIMITATIONS The size of the clinical sample was very small and the study needs to be replicated with a large and carefully recruited clinical sample. CONCLUSIONS These results support the AT&T as a valuable and psychometrically sound measure of the cognitive aspects of anxiety.