Measuring anxiety in the elderly: psychometric properties of the state trait inventory of cognitive and somatic anxiety (STICSA) in an elderly Italian sample

Background: Despite its increasing personal and societal impact, assessment of late-life anxiety has received relatively little attention in psychiatric research. Differential symptom presentation and physical comorbidities among the elderly, relative to younger cohorts creates a need for anxiety measures that are psychometrically validated in the elderly. Methods: The present study examined the factor structure and discriminant validity of the state-trait inventory for cognitive and somatic anxiety (STICSA) in a sample of Italian middle-aged and older adults. Participants were 396 community-dwelling middle-aged (50–64 years) and older ( 65 years) adults. In addition to the STICSA, participants completed two depression measures and a general well-being survey with physical and mental health subscales. Results: Factor analysis supported the validity of both state–trait and cognitive–somatic distinctions underlying the STICSA, all dimensions exhibited excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficients 0.86), and correlations with depression measures provided limited evidence for differentiation of anxious and depressive symptoms. The STICSA also showed evidence of discriminating anxious symptoms from physical health symptoms, a particularly relevant feature of a valid anxiety measure in elderly samples. Conclusions: The STICSA appears to be a valid measure of cognitive and somatic anxiety in the elderly.