POLISH ADAPTATION AND VALIDATION OF THE MOBILITY INVENTORY

Abstract

Summary Aim: The present study aimed at the adaptation and validation of the Mobility Inventory (MI; suggested Polish name: Skala Zachowań Unikowych Towarzyszących Agorafobii [SZUTA]) used to assess the frequency of agoraphobic avoidance behavior while being in company (subscale Avoidance When Accompanied) or alone (subscale Avoidance When Alone). Method: The study included a total of 80 patients diagnosed with agoraphobia or panic disorder with agoraphobia according to the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-IV as well as 100 control subjects who did not show the presence of mental disorders. Results: The present study showed that the Polish-language version of the MI meets basic psychometric criteria. Both of its subscales are characterized by a high content validity and reliability. Conclusions: The Polish-language version of the MI has been found to be a highly efficient and economic research and diagnostic instrument for the measurement of the agoraphobic avoidance behavior. Both of its subscales (i.e. Avoidance When Accompanied and Avoidance When Alone) might be very useful in research or in the diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic effects