Assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model

Maryam Amini Fasakhoudi; Abbas Masjedi Arani; Abbas Bakhshipour Roudsari; Maryam Mazaheri; Asma Shahi; Saina Fatollahzadeh; Mohammad Kazem Atef Vahid

doi:10.1186/s40359-025-02821-x

Assessment of the construct of paranoia in a non-clinical sample: validation of the paranoia scale based on a continuum model

BMC Psychol. 2025 Jul 1;13(1):640. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02821-x.

Authors

Maryam Amini Fasakhoudi¹, Abbas Masjedi Arani², Abbas Bakhshipour Roudsari³, Maryam Mazaheri⁴, Asma Shahi⁵, Saina Fatollahzadeh⁶, Mohammad Kazem Atef Vahid⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. amini.maryam329@gmail.com.
² Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. dr.masjediarani@gmail.com.
³ Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
⁴ Clinical Psychology Department, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁵ Master of health psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical science, Tehran, Iran.
⁶ Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁷ Mental Health Research Center, Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Paranoia Scale (PS) in a sample of university students. Specifically, we assessed its structural validity, measurement invariance, reliability, and other psychometric characteristics to determine suitability for use in Persian-speaking populations.

Methods: A total of 470 university students were recruited using a convenience sampling method over a six-month period. Participants completed the Paranoia Scale and other measures which were conceptually related to the concept of paranoia. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, measurement invariance, as well as principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Results: Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a two-factor structure, comprising "Mistrust Thoughts" and "Persecutory Ideas." Subsequently, a second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated an acceptable model fit, supporting the scale's structural validity.

Conclusions: Paranoid thoughts in non-clinical populations are phenomena of interest in their own right and may increases our understanding of delusions. Therefore, the Paranoia Scale suggest as a valid and reliable instrument with good internal consistency.

Keywords: Non-clinical sample; Paranoia continuum; Paranoia scale; Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Publication types

Validation Study

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Humans
Iran
Male
Paranoid Disorders* / diagnosis
Paranoid Disorders* / psychology
Principal Component Analysis
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales* / standards
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
Students / psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult

Grants and funding

IR.SBMU.RETECH.REC.1400.828/Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences