Usage: Please cite: Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K.M., Christensen, H., Mackinnon, A., Calear, A.L., Parsons, A., Bennet, K., Batterham, P.J., Stanimirovic, R. (2012) Internet-Based Interventions to Promote Mental Health Help-Seeking in Elite Athletes: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14: 69. doi: 10.2196/jmir.1864

The Anxiety Literacy Questionnaire assesses mental health literacy specific to anxiety. The questionnaire consists of 22 items which are true or false. Respondents can answer each item with one of three options – true, false or don’t know. Each correct response receives one point. Higher scores indicate higher mental health literacy of anxiety.

Anxiety Literacy Questionnaire items

• People with anxiety disorder often speak in a rambling and disjointed way. (False)
• Being easily fatigued may be a symptom of anxiety disorder. (True)
• Reckless and foolhardy behaviour is a common sign of anxiety disorder. (False)
• Irritability may be a symptom of anxiety disorder. (True)
• Bearing grudges and refusing to forgive others may be a sign of anxiety disorder. (False)
• People with anxiety disorder often hear voices that are not there. (False)
• Too much worry is the main symptom of anxiety disorder. (True)
• Tense muscles may be a symptom of anxiety disorder. (True)
• Anxiety disorder does not affect your concentration. (False)
• Having several distinct personalities may be a sign of anxiety disorder. (False)
• A dry mouth can be a symptom of anxiety disorder. (True)
• The best way of dealing with anxiety disorder is to handle it yourself. (False)
• Generalised anxiety disorder is a common cause of workplace disability. (True)
• Generalised anxiety disorder does not run in families. (False)
• Being bullied or victimized increases your risk of developing an anxiety disorder. (True)
• Antidepressants are effective treatment for anxiety disorder. (True)
• Many treatments for anxiety disorder are more effective than antidepressants. (False)
• Acupuncture is just as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorder. (False)
• Reading self help books about cognitive behavioural therapy is not effective for anxiety disorder. (False)
• It’s not a problem to stop taking antidepressants quickly. (False)
• Antidepressants are addictive. (False)
• Antidepressant medications usually work straight away. (False)

Norms and psychometric properties

Internal consistency

α = .76 (n = 40)

Test-retest reliability

r = .83, p = .003 (n = 12)

Based on a sample of elite athletes.

Key references

Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K.M., Christensen, H., MacKinnon, A., Calear, A.L., Parsons, A., Bennet, K., Batterham, P.J., Stanimirovic, R. (2012) Internet-Based Interventions to Promote Mental Health Help-Seeking in Elite Athletes: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14: 69.