ArticleJournal of anxiety disorders2026
Development and validation of the eight item contrast avoidance questionnaire-general emotion scale (CAQ-GE-8): An item-response theory analysis.
Article in Journal of anxiety disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
goalWe developed and validated an 8-item version of the 25-item Contrast Avoidance Questionnaire-General Emotion (CAQ-GE) scale, named the CAQ-GE-8.
methodUsing unselected university undergraduates (N = 8432), we conducted item-response theory (IRT) analyses with a confirmatory graded response model. We then examined the ability of the CAQ-GE-8 to predict probable generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). With two other student samples, we examined the scale's convergent/discriminant validity (N = 410) as well as retest reliability (N = 124).
resultsThe CAQ-GE-8 contained the same 2 factors as the CAQ-GE (F1: Create and Sustain Negative Emotions to Avoid Negative Contrasts [SNE], 5 items; and F2: Discomfort with Emotional Shifts [DES], 3 items). Both factors demonstrated strong internal consistency. The brief scale predicted probable GAD using a cut-point score of ≥ 15 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]:.794), and probable MDD using a cut-point score of ≥ 13 (AUC:.782). The CAQ-GE-8 and its two subscales also demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity, and good to excellent retest reliability over 1 week (r = .737-.879).
conclusionThese findings support the use of the CAQ-GE-8, both in research and in treatment, to assess the construct of contrast avoidance.
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