Psychometric Properties of the Safety Behaviors Questionnaire for Persian Adults who Stutter in Iran

A higher social anxiety rate is reported in adults who stutter (AWS) as opposed to those who do not stutter. Safety behaviors are a key factor in maintaining anxiety by reinforcing evidence related to destructive thoughts and lack of facilitating evidence related to constructive beliefs. The aim of this study was to translate and adopt the Persian version of Helgadottir questionnaire on safety behaviors in AWS and to determine its validity and reliability.

First, the original English questionnaire was translated into Persian language using the IQOLA method. Then, 17 speech and language pathologists and 5 AWS assessed the face validity of all items of the questionnaire using a 6-point Likert scale. Finally, 167 Persian-speaking AWS completed the questionnaire, and its construct validity was assessed, using exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency.

After translation and confirmation of face validity, the remaining 29 questions were categorized into 4 factors including general avoidance, practice and control, rehearsal, and choosing safe and easy people. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was found acceptable by obtaining a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89.

The results suggest that this questionnaire has suitable psychometric characteristics. Therefore, it could be used to assess safety behaviors of adults who stutter.