Independent evaluation and predictive utility of two questionnaires targeting severe weather phobia

Introduction: Evaluation of severe weather phobia is quite limited. In recognition of the dearth of literature, two measures were recently developed to evaluate related symptoms: the Storm Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) and the Storm Related Safety Behaviors Scale (SRSBS). The current studies aim to provide a systematic and rigorous independent evaluation of these two measures of severe weather anxiety and to determine how these questionnaires predict weather fear above and beyond other forms of psychopathology. Methods: In Study 1, the questionnaires were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis, which concluded that each questionnaire represents a 1-factor solution. Due to lack of utility, multiple items within each questionnaire could be removed. Using confirmatory factor analyses, Study 2 showed that a 1-factor solution was an adequate solution for the questionnaires. Results: Responses on the SFQ and SRSBS were most strongly associated with fears of tornadoes, lightning, thunder, and ice storms. Both questionnaires provided predictive utility above and beyond worry and trait anxiety. Discussion: These studies provide an independent psychometric evaluation of the SFQ and SRSBS, demonstrating their unidimensional factor structure and predictive validity beyond general psychopathology measures. Future research may utilize these questionnaires to expand the scope of this pathology, which has, thus far, been minimally explored.