The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3: Factor structure and psychometric properties in Italian clinical and non-clinical samples

Introduction: This study examined the factorial structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Italian version of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3). Methods. ASI-3 has been translated with a backtranslation procedure and then administered in a mixed sample of anxiety disorder patients (n = 154) and non-clinical participants (n = 629), along with measures of anxiety sensitivity, depression and anxiety. Results. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the hierarchical model of a single higher order factor and three lower order factors (physical, social, and cognitive concerns). ASI-3 demonstrated sound psychometric properties. Conclusions. Participants with different clinical status differed from each other on the ASI-3 subscales in theoretically meaningful ways. Panic disorder patients scored higher on the social concerns subscales than social phobia patients. The Italian version of the ASI-3 is a reliable tool, but more studies with Italian clinical samples are needed to further explore the criterion-related validity of the three ASI-3 subscales.