Discrete dimensions in agoraphobia: a factor analytic study.

One hundred and one patients meeting DSM-III criteria for agoraphobia with panic rated their avoidance of 21 situations. Factor analysis of the ratings revealed five factors: two that were purely agoraphobic, involving travel or transportation and shopping; one that was agoraphobic but with social features; another that was agoraphobic with claustrophobic features; and a somewhat heterogeneous factor. The results were compared with an earlier analysis by Johnston, Johnston, Wilkes, Burns & Thorpe (1984) of ratings of the same situations and with the Fear Questionnaire of Marks & Mathews (1979).