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01-08-2019 | Social Anxiety Disorder | Original Article

Developing a Brief Version of the Social Thoughts and Beliefs Scale (STABS) Using Item Response Theory

Authors: Itamar Stein, Maya Asher, Shahaf Erez, Tomer Shechner, Sofi Marom, Haggai Hermesh, Idan M. Aderka

Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Issue 4/2019

Abstract

Cognitions play a central role in the maintenance of social anxiety disorder (SAD). The aim of the present study was to develop a brief version of the social thoughts and beliefs scale (STABS) that can be used in clinical trials and experience sampling studies in which multiple repeated measures (e.g., weekly or daily measurements) are utilized. Our sample (n = 361) included both individuals diagnosed with SAD (n = 108) and non-anxious controls (n = 253). We used item response theory analyses to examine items of the STABS and kept only items which differentiated between 4 levels of SAD-related cognitions between the 5th and 95th percentiles of scores. This strategy resulted in a brief, seven-item scale—the mini-STABS. We then compared the mini-STABS with the full-length, 21-item STABS, as well as examined convergent and divergent validity for the brief measure. Results indicated that the mini-STABS was highly correlated with the 21-item STABS, and demonstrated similar patterns of associations with convergent and divergent measures compared to the 21-item STABS. These findings suggest that the mini-STABS is a psychometrically sound brief version of the STABS that provides similar information using fewer items. Implications for assessment of SAD are discussed.

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No differences in clinical and demographic measures were found between participants with SAD from both settings.

Note that the parameter b1 corresponds to the response of 2. This is because 100% of participants respond 1 or more, thus obviating the need for a parameter for the response 1.

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Title: Developing a Brief Version of the Social Thoughts and Beliefs Scale (STABS) Using Item Response Theory
Authors: Itamar Stein
Maya Asher
Shahaf Erez
Tomer Shechner
Sofi Marom
Haggai Hermesh
Idan M. Aderka
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Social Anxiety Disorder
Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-019-10000-7

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Developing a Brief Version of the Social Thoughts and Beliefs Scale (STABS) Using Item Response Theory

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