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Anxiety Sensitivity Index
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About Anxiety Sensitivity Index
Scale Name
Anxiety Sensitivity Index
Author Details
Steven Taylor and Brian J. Cox
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) is a widely recognized psychological assessment tool designed to measure an individual’s fear of anxiety-related sensations, based on the belief that these sensations may lead to harmful physical, psychological, or social consequences. Developed by Steven Taylor and Brian J. Cox, the ASI emerged from the broader framework of anxiety disorders research, particularly focusing on how anxiety sensitivity acts as a vulnerability factor for conditions such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Unlike measures that assess the frequency or intensity of anxiety symptoms, the ASI uniquely targets the cognitive appraisal of anxiety symptoms, making it a critical tool in both clinical and research settings.
Introduced in its expanded form in 1998, the ASI builds on earlier work by Reiss and colleagues, refining the construct to capture a hierarchical structure of anxiety sensitivity. This includes a global factor (overall anxiety sensitivity) and specific lower-order dimensions such as fear of physical sensations (e.g., heart palpitations), cognitive dyscontrol (e.g., difficulty concentrating), and social concerns (e.g., embarrassment due to visible anxiety). The tool consists of 36 items in its expanded version, offering a more nuanced assessment compared to the original 16-item scale. Its development was informed by rigorous empirical testing in clinical samples, ensuring its relevance to individuals experiencing heightened anxiety-related concerns. For psychologists, researchers, and clinicians, the ASI provides valuable insights into how anxiety sensitivity amplifies the risk of anxiety disorders and informs tailored therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
The ASI’s straightforward design and robust psychometric properties have made it a staple in understanding the interplay between cognitive beliefs and anxiety pathology. Whether used to predict the onset of panic attacks or to assess treatment outcomes, this tool offers a reliable lens through which to explore the complexities of anxiety sensitivity. Its adaptability across diverse populations and languages further enhances its utility, making it an essential resource for professionals aiming to address the multifaceted nature of anxiety.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index from a reputable psychological resource, such as a licensed publisher or academic database, ensuring compliance with copyright and ethical guidelines.
- Explain the purpose of the ASI to the respondent, clarifying that it assesses their beliefs about the consequences of anxiety sensations rather than the frequency of anxiety itself, to promote accurate self-reporting.
- Provide instructions, typically asking the respondent to rate each of the 36 items on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = “very little” to 4 = “very much”) based on how much they agree with statements like “It scares me when my heart beats rapidly.”
- Approximate time for completion is about 10–15 minutes, though this may vary depending on the respondent’s reading speed and level of reflection.
- Administer the scale in a quiet, distraction-free environment, either in paper-and-pencil format or digitally, ensuring the respondent feels comfortable and understands the process.
Reliability and Validity
The Anxiety Sensitivity Index demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as evidenced by extensive research. In its expanded 36-item form, the ASI exhibits high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values typically ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 across studies, indicating reliable measurement of the anxiety sensitivity construct. Test-retest reliability is also robust, with correlations of 0.75 to 0.85 over intervals of several weeks, suggesting stability in scores over time in the absence of intervention. Factor analyses, such as those conducted by Taylor and Cox (1998), confirm a hierarchical structure with a general factor and three specific subscales—physical concerns, cognitive concerns, and social concerns—each showing acceptable reliability (alpha > 0.70).
Validity evidence is equally compelling. The ASI shows strong convergent validity, correlating highly with measures of anxiety proneness and panic disorder severity (r = 0.50–0.70), while discriminant validity is supported by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs like depression (r < 0.40). Criterion validity is demonstrated through its ability to predict panic attack frequency and differentiate clinical populations (e.g., those with anxiety disorders) from non-clinical samples. These properties underscore the ASI’s utility as a precise and valid tool for assessing anxiety sensitivity in diverse contexts.
Available Versions
36-Items
Reference
Taylor, S., & Cox, B. J. (1998). An expanded anxiety sensitivity index: evidence for a hierarchic structure in a clinical sample. Journal of anxiety disorders, 12(5), 463-483.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Anxiety Sensitivity Index measure?
It measures fear of anxiety-related sensations and their perceived consequences.
Who can use the ASI?
Psychologists, researchers, and clinicians trained in psychological assessment can use it.
How long does it take to complete the ASI?
It typically takes 10–15 minutes.
Is the ASI available in multiple languages?
Yes, it’s available in languages like English, Spanish, and French, among others.
Can the ASI diagnose anxiety disorders?
No, it assesses anxiety sensitivity, not specific diagnoses, but it can inform clinical evaluations.
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