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Development and Initial Validation of the Relaxation Sensitivity Index

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Abstract

Relaxation sensitivity indexes the fear of relaxation-related events. The purpose of this study was to develop and provide initial validation of a self-report measure of relaxation sensitivity, the Relaxation Sensitivity Index (RSI). Three independent samples of undergraduate students (n = 300 unselected, n = 349 nonclinical, and n = 197 with elevated anxiety/depression symptoms) completed self-report measures to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the RSI. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a three-factor structure (correlated physical, cognitive, and social concerns). The RSI demonstrated good internal consistency and construct validity as evidenced by expected correlations with measures of anxiety and depression symptoms. The RSI showed good predictive validity in terms of a history of fearful responding to relaxation. RSI scores were significantly higher in the symptomatic compared with nonclinical sample. Results suggest the RSI is a valid and reliable measure that may be useful in clinical and research settings.

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Notes

  1. In the interest of space, full details on the CFA results from the nonclinical and analog samples are not presented here. They can be obtained from the corresponding author upon request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 210376, Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0376, USA

    Christina M. Luberto, Alison C. McLeish & Rachel W. Kallen

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 100 Cambridge St., Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Christina M. Luberto

  3. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA

    Alison C. McLeish

  4. Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Rachel W. Kallen

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  1. Christina M. Luberto
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Appendix A

Appendix A

Table 7 Relaxation Sensitivity Index. Please rate each item by selecting one of the five answers for each question. Please answer each statement by circling the number that best applies to you.
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Luberto, C.M., McLeish, A.C. & Kallen, R.W. Development and Initial Validation of the Relaxation Sensitivity Index. J Cogn Ther 14, 320–340 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41811-020-00086-3

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