Assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model
Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Paranoia Scale (PS) in a sample of university students. Specifically, we assessed its structural validity, measurement invariance, reliability, and other psychometric characteristics to determi...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02821-x |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849238144233242624 |
|---|---|
| author | Maryam Amini Fasakhoudi Abbas Masjedi Arani Abbas Bakhshipour Roudsari Maryam Mazaheri Asma Shahi Saina Fatollahzadeh Mohammad Kazem Atef Vahid |
| author_facet | Maryam Amini Fasakhoudi Abbas Masjedi Arani Abbas Bakhshipour Roudsari Maryam Mazaheri Asma Shahi Saina Fatollahzadeh Mohammad Kazem Atef Vahid |
| author_sort | Maryam Amini Fasakhoudi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Paranoia Scale (PS) in a sample of university students. Specifically, we assessed its structural validity, measurement invariance, reliability, and other psychometric characteristics to determine suitability for use in Persian-speaking populations. Methods A total of 470 university students were recruited using a convenience sampling method over a six-month period. Participants completed the Paranoia Scale and other measures which were conceptually related to the concept of paranoia. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, measurement invariance, as well as principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Results Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a two-factor structure, comprising “Mistrust Thoughts” and “Persecutory Ideas.” Subsequently, a second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated an acceptable model fit, supporting the scale’s structural validity. Conclusions Paranoid thoughts in non-clinical populations are phenomena of interest in their own right and may increases our understanding of delusions. Therefore, the Paranoia Scale suggest as a valid and reliable instrument with good internal consistency. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-66ff883c5da741b79874f9ceae23ddac |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-66ff883c5da741b79874f9ceae23ddac2025-08-20T04:01:43ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-07-0113111010.1186/s40359-025-02821-xAssessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum modelMaryam Amini Fasakhoudi0Abbas Masjedi Arani1Abbas Bakhshipour Roudsari2Maryam Mazaheri3Asma Shahi4Saina Fatollahzadeh5Mohammad Kazem Atef Vahid6Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical ScienceDepartment of Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of TabrizClinical Psychology Department, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical SciencesMaster of health psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical scienceDepartment of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical SciencesMental Health Research Center, Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Medical SciencesAbstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Paranoia Scale (PS) in a sample of university students. Specifically, we assessed its structural validity, measurement invariance, reliability, and other psychometric characteristics to determine suitability for use in Persian-speaking populations. Methods A total of 470 university students were recruited using a convenience sampling method over a six-month period. Participants completed the Paranoia Scale and other measures which were conceptually related to the concept of paranoia. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, measurement invariance, as well as principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Results Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a two-factor structure, comprising “Mistrust Thoughts” and “Persecutory Ideas.” Subsequently, a second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated an acceptable model fit, supporting the scale’s structural validity. Conclusions Paranoid thoughts in non-clinical populations are phenomena of interest in their own right and may increases our understanding of delusions. Therefore, the Paranoia Scale suggest as a valid and reliable instrument with good internal consistency.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02821-xParanoia continuumNon-clinical sampleParanoia scalePrincipal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis |
| spellingShingle | Maryam Amini Fasakhoudi Abbas Masjedi Arani Abbas Bakhshipour Roudsari Maryam Mazaheri Asma Shahi Saina Fatollahzadeh Mohammad Kazem Atef Vahid Assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model BMC Psychology Paranoia continuum Non-clinical sample Paranoia scale Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis |
| title | Assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model |
| title_full | Assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model |
| title_short | Assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model |
| title_sort | assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non clinical sample validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model |
| topic | Paranoia continuum Non-clinical sample Paranoia scale Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02821-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT maryamaminifasakhoudi assessmentoftheconstructofparanoiainanonclinicalsamplevalidationoftheparanoiascalebasedonacontinuummodel AT abbasmasjediarani assessmentoftheconstructofparanoiainanonclinicalsamplevalidationoftheparanoiascalebasedonacontinuummodel AT abbasbakhshipourroudsari assessmentoftheconstructofparanoiainanonclinicalsamplevalidationoftheparanoiascalebasedonacontinuummodel AT maryammazaheri assessmentoftheconstructofparanoiainanonclinicalsamplevalidationoftheparanoiascalebasedonacontinuummodel AT asmashahi assessmentoftheconstructofparanoiainanonclinicalsamplevalidationoftheparanoiascalebasedonacontinuummodel AT sainafatollahzadeh assessmentoftheconstructofparanoiainanonclinicalsamplevalidationoftheparanoiascalebasedonacontinuummodel AT mohammadkazematefvahid assessmentoftheconstructofparanoiainanonclinicalsamplevalidationoftheparanoiascalebasedonacontinuummodel |