Evaluation of factor structure, validity and reliability of the Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 (YAM-5)

There have been major changes in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) compared to previous versions. This study was aimed to examine the factor structure, validity and reliability of the Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 (YAM-5). In this descriptive study with factor analysis approach, 300 students aged 12 to 18 years old in Birjand were selected by cluster sampling method and were evaluated by using Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders- short form (SCARED-71). The results of the study showed that the internal validity of the part I I and part II of the Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 (YAM-5) were in range of 0.71 to 0.90 and 0.65 to 0.91, respectively. The criterion validity of the scale by using Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders- short form (SCARED-71) showed that there is a significant positive correlation between the YAM-5 and components of SCARED-71, in a range of 0.12 to 0.74. Validity in the internal consistency showed that the correlation between each of the five components together that set in a range of 0.38 to 0.56 were lower than correlation between each of the five components and total score that set in a range of 0.69 to 0.83. According to the results of this study, the importance of measuring anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, the lack of suitable standardized tools in our country, and the validity and reliability of the Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 (YAM-5), it is recommended to professionals and researchers to use this tool