Adaptation and psychometric properties of Severity Measure for Specific Phobia-Adult in an Indonesian sample

Abstract

IntroductionPhobia is known as a type of anxiety disorder characterized by exaggerated and irrational fear about some specific situation, place, or object. Distinct from other types of disorder, specific phobias are characterized by immediate, intense, and irrational fear if particular objects or situations are confronted. The use of the instrument to measure the specific phobia can help the Indonesian clinician to conceptualize and develop the appropriate intervention. This study aimed to translate and adapt the Severity Measure for Specific Phobia-Adult (SMSP-A) and to determine the psychometric properties of this measurement in Indonesia with a sample of university students.Material and methodsThe SMSP-A adapted scale was administered to 417 participants who were randomly selected from four universities in Indonesia. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on the data.ResultsThe modified two-factor model with 10 items (adding covariance) provided a marginally better fit than the original two-factor model with 10 items (χ2 = 88.65, df = 33, GFI = .96, CFI = .98, TLI = .97, RMSEA = .06). Further, gender and ethnicity were contributory factors in terms of experiencing the level of phobia.ConclusionsThe application of the 10-item (adding covariance) SMSP-A provides a valid and reliable scale to measure specific phobia among Indonesian undergraduate students. Therefore, the university’s counselors can use the SMSP-A in order to assess psychological conditions regarding phobia. The results from such assessments can be used to modify psychological education programs aiming at enhancing mental health.