Divergent, criterion-related, and discriminant validities for the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale
Author: Abdel Khalek AM
Source:
Psychological reports, 94(2), 572-576
Three analyses were carried out. Analysis I estimated the correlation between the
total score of the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale and a self-rating scale of
happiness with large sample of male (n = 1,312) and female (n = 1,272) Kuwaiti
adolescents. Pearson product-moment correlations were -.43 and -.44 (p < .001)
for boys and girls, respectively, suggesting divergent validity of the anxiety
scale. Analysis II examined the correlations between scores on the Kuwait
University Anxiety Scale and the Somatic Symptoms Inventory for a nonclinical
sample of women (n = 30), and female outpatients with anxiety disorder (n = 30).
Pearson product-moment correlations were, respectively, .85 and .53, (p < .001),
which support the criterion-related validity of the Kuwait University Anxiety
Scale with respect to the Somatic Symptoms Inventory. In Analysis III a sample of
60 male and female outpatients with anxiety disorder and 60 nonclinical
participants were matched on age, education, and occupation. All responded
individually to the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale. Significant differences
among groups, especially noticeable for men, support the discriminant validity of
the scale. So, the clinical as well as research use of the scale can be
recommended. By and large, the divergent, discriminant, and criterion-related
validities of the scale have been adequately supported so subsequent replication
is expected.