Construction and validation of the War Anxiety Scale

Subject Areas : social psychology

mehdi shomaliahmadabadi ¹ , atefeh barkhordariahmadabadi ²

1 - PhD in Psychology, Education department, Ardakan, Yazd, Iran
2 -

Received: 2025-05-22 Accepted : 2025-07-30 Published : 2025-09-22

Keywords: war anxiety, validation, factor analysis, reliability, Iranian adults,

Abstract :

War, as one of the most impactful social phenomena, profoundly affects the mental, physical, and behavioral health of individuals in affected communities. This study aimed to develop and validate a War Anxiety Scale to provide a reliable tool for researchers and clinicians to assess this specific type of anxiety. This study aimed to construct and validate the War Anxiety Scale. The research was a survey-based, applied study. The statistical population consisted of adults aged 18 to 60 in Ardakan city in 2025, with a sample of 248 individuals. Stratified sampling was used. The research instruments included the War Anxiety Scale, Kessler et al Psychological Distress Scale (2002), and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire Diener et al (1985). Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and Pearson correlation, employing SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the scale comprises three factors—physical, psychological-cognitive, and behavioral—accounting for 68.694% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a good model fit (RMSEA=0.079, GFI=0.907, CFI=0.949). Convergent validity was supported by a positive correlation with psychological distress (r=0.701), and divergent validity by a negative correlation with life satisfaction (r=-0.339). The scale’s reliability was established with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.923. Findings indicated that women scored higher on the psychological-cognitive factor, but no significant gender differences were observed in overall war anxiety. Given its robust psychometric properties, the War Anxiety Scale can be effectively utilized in psychological research and clinical interventions to assess, prevent, and mitigate the psychological impacts of war.

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