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Journal

Title Examining the Latent Dimensions of Social Anxiety Disorder
Posted by Jimayma Bigcas
Authors Mordeno, Imelu G.; Bigcas, Jimayma D.; Mordeno, Emelyn R.
Publication date 2023/02/11
Journal Psychological Reports
Volume 0
Issue 0
Pages 35
Publisher SAGE Publications Inc
Abstract While the body of literature has investigated the latent dimensions of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), only few have directly anchored in the DSM-5 SAD symptoms. Similarly, a continuing issue on measuring mental health disorders pertains to whether a symptom’s frequency, intensity, or both, are appropriate and sufficient indicators of severity. To address this gap, the present study developed and validated a DSM-5-based measurement tool, the Social Anxiety Symptom Severity Inventory (SASSI), which assesses both the intensity (intensity of disturbance) and frequency (frequency of occurrence) of SAD symptoms. In study 1 (n = 6458, college students), the results revealed a two-factor structure using exploratory structural equation modeling. In study 2 (n = 425, left-behind emerging adults), confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance testing, and latent class analysis were used. Findings demonstrated the importance of using both frequency and intensity of symptoms in assessing SAD severity. Moreover, a five-class solution best fitted the sample. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrated the good psychometric properties of SASSI and filled an important gap among available measures in assessing SAD severity through symptom frequency and intensity.
Index terms / Keywords Social anxiety; factor structure; frequency; intensity; latent class analysis
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941231156815
URL https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00332941231156815