Validity and measurement invariance of abbreviated scales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) in a population of Italian young adults

While the findings underscore the practical utility of the 8-item STAI scales for rapid anxiety assessment in clinical and research settings, limitations include the absence of a clinical sample and reliance on self-report measures, which may introduce biases. Future research should include clinical populations and explore cultural differences in anxiety manifestation. Despite these limitations, the 8-item STAI scales offer valid, reliable, and efficient tools for measuring anxiety, with significant implications for timely interventions and enhanced psychological assessment.