Psychometric Properties of the Anxiety Attitude and Belief Scale in an Asian Community Group

Background: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Anxiety Attitude and Belief Scale (AABS), a measure of attitudes and beliefs intended to index a psychological vulnerability to anxiety problems, in an Asian context. Methods: Exploratory factor analysis was performed on sample of 434 community participants from Singapore, who were predominantly ethnic Chinese. Results: A revised factor structure of the scale (AABS–A) comprising of three factors, namely Catastrophising, Vigilance/Avoidance, and Reasonable Anxiety–Related Beliefs, was found. Internal consistency was satisfactory for the total scale and the three factor scales derived. Concurrent and discriminate validity of the AABS–A were also good. Conclusion: Study results suggest that the AABS–A is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing anxiety–related attitudes and beliefs in Asian, in particular Singaporean, community samples.