Validation of the State Version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in a University Sample

Abstract

Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Model makes a theoretical distinction between the contribution of dispositional anxiety and the transitory experience of anxiety to performance difficulties during testing situations. According to the State-Trait framework, state anxiety is viewed as the primary performance barrier for test-anxious students, and as such, educators and educational researchers have expressed interest in validated, state anxiety measurement tools. Currently, the most widely used measure of state anxiety is the state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. However, evidence regarding the psychometric properties of this scale is relatively scarce. Therefore, the current study was designed to determine the structural validity, reliability, and concurrent/divergent validity of the instrument. Participants ( N = 294) completed the state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale 2nd Edition, and an exam task. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we tested the viability of one-, two-, and bi-factor solutions for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicated a two-factor solution consisting of State Anxiety and State Calmness dimensions provided superior fit to the observed data. Results of a reliability analysis indicated that the State Anxiety and State Calmness factors demonstrated excellent internal consistency when applied to university students. Our discussion concerns the utility of the State Anxiety factor as a tool for the identification of test-anxious students.

Psychometric Evaluation of Three Versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Full, Eight-Item, and Three-Item Versions) among Sexual Minority Men in Taiwan

“…The psychometric properties of the STAI have been shown to be satisfactory [65,66], including the Chinese version [67][68][69][70]. For example, Cronbach's α was 0.95 [66]. The α was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.94-0.96) in the present study.…”

“…Responses on the 20 items are summed and a higher score on the STAI indicates higher levels of state anxiety [64]. The psychometric properties of the STAI have been shown to be satisfactory [65,66], including the Chinese version [67][68][69][70]. For example, Cronbach's α was 0.95 [66].…”

Effects of positive social comparative feedback on motor sequence learning and performance expectancies

“…All surveys were collected by subject direct input into RedCap. Prior to STT practice on Day 1, participants completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) ( Rosenberg, 1965 ) and the State Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) ( Spielberger et al, 1983 ; Thomas and Cassady, 2021 ) to provide additional information about baseline self-esteem and anxiety, respectively. To assess changes in psychosocial factors over practice, participants completed surveys which measured task-specific self-efficacy (Task-Specific Self Efficacy Scale), perceived competence in task performance and interest/enjoyment in the task (subscales of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory), and general positive affect (Positive and Negative Affect Scale) before and after practice on Day 1 and before retention testing on Day 2.…”

Perceptual and Ventilatory Responses to Hypercapnia in Athletes and Sedentary Individuals

“…Participants completed questionnaires to measure anxiety (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAI) ( Spielberger, 2010 ; Vitasari et al, 2011 ; Thomas and Cassady, 2021 ), depression (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; CES-D) ( Radloff, 1977 ; Weissman et al, 1977 ) and anxiety sensitivity, which measures anxiety toward anxiety symptoms (Anxiety Sensitivity Index; ASI) ( Reiss et al, 1986 ; Maller and Reiss, 1987 ). Questionnaires were completed on paper and were scored according to their respective manuals.…”