Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory in the State of Kuwait

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) in Kuwait. This study used a sample of (612) undergraduates from Kuwait University student in order to assess reliability, validity, gender differences, and the correlation between anxiety with some stability variables as well as a clinical sample of (32) patients with a generalized anxiety disorder. The results of the study revealed satisfactory psychometric properties of BAI. The scale split half consistency ranged from.0.70 –0.97, while alpha Cranach coefficients ranged between 0.83 and 0.90, while the alpha coefficients ranged between 0.88, 0.92.The test –retest coefficients was 0.79.The explanatory factor analysis of BAI extracts four factors (Neurophysiological, Subjective, and Panic & Autonomic).Anxiety positively correlated with depression, hopelessness, and pessimism, while anxiety negatively correlated with optimism. Finally, results of the study reported females scored higher in anxiety.