Construction and Validation of the Paranoia Criteria Scale (PCS): Serbian Sample
Construction and Validation of the Paranoia Criteria Scale (PCS): Serbian Sample

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the study was to construct a brief measure of paranoid tendencies based on DSM-5-TR criteria for Paranoid Personality Disorder and examine its psychometric properties in the general population. Item response theory was used to examine the scale’s characteristics, including information and differential item functioning (DIF) across sexes. Our 9-item scale was administered three times (N = 138, 525, 224). Results showed that the scale is most informative at high trait levels, but its information is satisfactory for the slightly below average to high-above-average levels. DIF was identified for one of the items, but its impact on total scores was negligible. The patterns of association with another measure of paranoid tendencies, personality inventory, and several measures of psychopathological constructs confirm the scale’s validity. Overall, the newly constructed scale is a reliable and valid measure of paranoid tendencies in the general population. Strengths, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

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