Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index

Abstract

Presents a scale for measuring anxiety sensitivity (i.e., the belief that anxiety symptoms have negative consequences): the Child Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI). The CASI is shown to have sound psychometric properties for both a normal and a clinical sample. Support is provided for the view that anxiety sensitivity is a separate concept from that of anxiety frequency and that it is a concept applicable with children. The CASI is shown to correlate with measures of fear/ anxiety and also to account for variance on the Fear Survey Schedule for ChildrenRevised and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (Trait form) that cannot be explained by a measure of anxiety frequency. The possible role of anxiety sensitivity as a predisposing factor in the development of anxiety disorders in children is discussed.