Development of the Short Form of the Safety Behaviors Assessment Form and Evaluation of Cross-Cultural Validity and Reliability

The purpose of this research was to examine the psychometric properties of the Safety Behavior Assessment Form to create a short form (SBAF-SF) that is easier to use in both research and clinical settings. Three studies were conducted with three independent samples—two Turkish samples and an English-speaking sample. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine the construct validity of the adapted SBAF-SF scale. In addition, direct and indirect relationships between anxiety sensitivity and safety-seeking behaviors were evaluated by network analysis. The results confirmed the construct validity of SBAF-SF in both cultures, and the scale was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool for the assessment of safety-seeking behaviors in general samples. In addition, direct and indirect relationships between anxiety sensitivity and safety-seeking behaviors were examined by network analysis, which showed significant cultural differences between the USA and Turkey. The SBAF-SF is a valid and reliable assessment tool for evaluating safety-seeking behaviors and can be used cross-culturally.