Convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity of the social phobia and anxiety inventory

Abstract

The psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Anxiety Inventory (SPAI) were assessed in a sample of participants who either had a primary diagnosis of social phobia or were normal volunteers. Positive evidence was obtained on the SPAI's concurrent and predictive convergent validity: it was significantly correlated with other measures of social anxiety obtained from self-report questionnaires of social impairment and with behavioral assessment measures administered in conjunction with a conversation role-play, including measures of negative thinking, subjective anxiety, and self-perceived skill and apparent nervousness. Discriminant validity was demonstrated by the SPAI's significantly stronger relationship with public than private self-consciousness. There was no overlap in SPAI scores in the normal volunteer and socially phobic groups, demonstrating criterion-related validity.