Research Article
Factor structure and concurrent validity of the world assumptions scale
Ask Elklit,
Mark Shevlin,
Zahava Solomon,
Rachel Dekel,
Corresponding Author
Ask Elklit
Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4, DK 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.Search for more papers by this authorMark Shevlin
School of Psychology, University of Ulster (Magee), Londonderry, UK
Search for more papers by this authorZahava Solomon
The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorRachel Dekel
School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Bar-Ilan, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorAsk Elklit,
Mark Shevlin,
Zahava Solomon,
Rachel Dekel,
Corresponding Author
Ask Elklit
Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
Department of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4, DK 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.Search for more papers by this authorMark Shevlin
School of Psychology, University of Ulster (Magee), Londonderry, UK
Search for more papers by this authorZahava Solomon
The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorRachel Dekel
School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Bar-Ilan, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
The factor structure of the World Assumptions Scale (WAS) was assessed by means of confirmatory factor analysis. The sample was comprised of 1,710 participants who had been exposed to trauma that resulted in whiplash. Four alternative models were specified and estimated using LISREL 8.72. A correlated 8-factor solution was the best explanation of the sample data. The estimates of reliability of eight subscales of the WAS ranged from .48 to .82. Scores from five subscales correlated significantly with trauma severity as measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, although the magnitude of the correlations was low to modest, ranging from .08 to −.43. It is suggested that the WAS has adequate psychometric properties for use in both clinical and research settings.
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