Psychometric properties of the dimensional anxiety scales for DSM‐5 in a Brazilian community sample (original) (raw)

Dimensional anxiety scales for DSM-5: Sensitivity to clinical severity

European Psychiatry, 2013

PurposePsychometric properties and clinical sensitivity of brief self-rated dimensional scales to supplement categorical diagnoses of anxiety disorders in the DSM-5 were recently demonstrated in a German treatment seeking sample of adults. The present study aims to demonstrate sensitivity of these scales to clinical severity levels.MethodsThe dimensional scales were administered to 102 adults at a university outpatient clinic for psychotherapy. Diagnostic status was assessed using the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview. To establish a wide range of clinical severity, we considered subthreshold (n= 83) and threshold anxiety disorders (n= 49, including Social Phobia, Specific Phobia, Agoraphobia, Panic Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder).ResultsIndividuals with either subthreshold or threshold anxiety disorder scored higher on all dimensional scales relative to individuals without anxiety. In addition, individuals with a threshold anxiety disorder scored highe...

Psychometric Properties of the Dimensional Anxiety Scales for DSM-V in an Unselected Sample of German Treatment Seeking Patients

Depression and Anxiety, 2012

Background: Dimensional assessments are planned to be included as supplements to categorical diagnoses in DSM-V. The aim of this study was to examine the unidimensionality, reliability, validity, and clinical sensitivity of brief selfrated scales for specific anxiety disorders in an unselected German sample of consecutive attendees to a psychological clinic. These scales use a common template to assess core constructs of fear and anxiety. Methods: Dimensional scales for social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder were administered along with established scales to 102 adults seeking treatment for mental health problems at a German university outpatient clinic for psychotherapy. The computer-assisted clinical version of the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess mental disorders according to DSM-IV criteria. Dimensionality and scale reliability were examined using confirmatory factor analyses. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined by testing differences in the size of correlations between each dimensional anxiety scale and each of the previously validated scales. Each dimensional scale's ability to correctly differentiate between individuals with versus without an anxiety diagnosis was examined via the area under the curve. Results: Analyses revealed unidimensionality for each scale, high reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity. Classification performance was good to excellent for all scales except for specific phobia. Conclusions: The application of the dimensional anxiety scales may be an effective way to screen for specific anxiety disorders and to supplement categorical diagnoses in DSM-V, although further evaluation and refinement of the scales (particularly the specific phobia scale) is needed. Depression and Anxiety 00:1-11, 2012.

Test–retest reliability and sensitivity to change of the dimensional anxiety scales for DSM-5

CNS Spectrums, 2013

Objective This article reports on the test–retest reliability and sensitivity to change of a set of brief dimensional self-rating questionnaires for social anxiety disorder (SAD-D), specific phobia (SP-D), agoraphobia (AG-D), panic disorder (PD-D), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-D), as well as a general cross-cutting anxiety scale (Cross-D), which were developed to supplement categorical diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). Methods The German versions of the dimensional anxiety scales were administered to 218 students followed up approximately 2 weeks later (Study 1) and 55 outpatients (23 with anxiety diagnoses) followed-up 1 year later (Study 2). Probable diagnostic status in students was determined by the DIA-X/M-CIDI stem screening-questionnaire (SSQ). In the clinical sample, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) diagnoses were assessed at Time 1 using the DIA-X/M-CIDI. At Time 2...

A dimensional approach to measuring anxiety for DSM-5

International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 2012

In preparation for DSM-5's planned inclusion of dimensional assessments of psychopathology as a complement to traditional categorical diagnoses, we developed brief self-rated scales for anxiety disorders that are consistent in content and structure. In the present paper, we discuss the creation of the scales and examine their psychometric properties and clinical sensitivity. Phase One assessed psychometric properties of the initial versions of the scales in a large non-clinical sample (n = 702). Phase Two assessed the psychometric properties of revised versions of the scales, including test-retest reliability, in a non-clinical sample (n = 57). Phase Three examined the scales' psychometric properties and relationship with clinician ratings of disorder severity in a clinical sample (n = 48). The scales demonstrated internal consistency (a = 0.85-0.92), convergent validity (r s = 0.39-0.69), and test-retest reliability in the non-clinical samples (ICC = 0.51-0.81). In the clinical sample, the scales demonstrated significantly higher total scores than in the non-clinical sample (Cohen's d = 0.72-1.50) and moderate to high correlations with clinician ratings of disorder severity (r = 0.43-0.82) Although further evaluation and refinement of the scales (particularly the specific phobia and agoraphobia scales) is needed, the results provide preliminary support for the use of these scales in DSM-5 and thus take an important step toward the integration of standardized dimensional measurement into the diagnosis of anxiety disorders.

Development and validation of a short-form version of the Brazilian state-trait anxiety inventory

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 2011

The Brazilian State-Trait Anxiety Inventory has been widely used to measure state (STAI-S) and trait (STAI-T) components of anxiety. The present work developed and evaluated a short version of the STAI-S and STAI-T in a large sample of Brazilian subjects. The first study selected short-form scales. The second one employed factor analyses to investigate whether each of the two short-form scales presented a well-defined and balanced structure with both anxiety-present and anxiety-absent factors. Results indicated that the STAI-S and STAI-T could be reduced to six items (STAI-S-6 and STAI-T-6, respectively) without sacrificing their psychometric properties. The findings suggest that STAI-S-6 and STAI-T-6 may be employed in situations where time restraints make the use of full-length forms unfeasible.

Development and validation of a DSM-5-based generalized anxiety disorder self-report Scale: Investigating frequency and intensity rating differences

Current Psychology, 2019

There are limitations in the currently available measures for the assessment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). While changes have been made in the diagnostic criteria for GAD from DSM-IV to DSM-5, there are no scales which items correspond directly to DSM-5-based GAD symptomatology. Moreover, although recent studies support measuring both symptom frequency and intensity of mental disorders, most GAD measures assess only either symptom frequency or intensity, and there is no DSM-5based self-report measure of GAD that assesses both. In order to address these limitations, two studies were conducted to develop and validate a new GAD self-report scale, the Generalized Anxiety Symptom Severity Inventory (GASSI), which measures symptom severity by assessing both the frequency and intensity of DSM-5-based GAD symptoms in samples of undergraduates and natural disaster survivors. Study 1 provides evidence for a one-factor summed frequency and intensity GAD score using exploratory factor analysis. GASSI was found to have good reliability and evidence of construct validity. Study 2 suggests that both frequency and intensity of symptoms are needed in assessing GAD severity based on the results of invariance testing. These findings have implications for the measurement of GAD symptoms, as well as in the development of interventions for GAD.

Integrating dimensional assessment and categorical diagnosis in DSM-5: The benefits and challenges of the paradigm shift for the anxiety disorders

Psychopathology Review, 2015

With DSM-5, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) strongly encourages clinicians and researchers to supplement traditional categorical diagnoses with dimensional ratings of severity. To that end, several scales have been created for or adopted by the APA that are brief, psychometrically sound, and easily accessible. Despite these scales' inclusion in the text and online, awareness of them remains low one year after DSM-5's publication. In the present paper, we review the APA's guidelines for dimensional assessment and examine several issues relevant to dimensional assessment including: persuading clinicians of the utility of dimensional assessment, raising awareness of the scales, establishing guidelines for interpretation, incorporating data from multiple informants, assessment across diverse groups, and the risks and benefits of scales accessible to the general public. These issues will be illustrated through the example of the anxiety disorders, due to the fact t...

Anxiety Sensitivity Factor Structure Among Brazilian Patients with Anxiety Disorders

Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 2009

Anxiety sensitivity (i.e., fear of arousal-related bodily sensations, including sensations that arise from normal physiological processes, due to the personal belief that these sensations will produce harmful consequences) is an important psychological construct involved in the etiology and maintenance of different anxiety disorders. The present study evaluated the psychometric proprieties and the factor structure of the 18-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) among 585 Brazilian patients with primary anxiety disorder diagnosis. Results indicated good internal consistency and item-total correlation coefficients. Exploratory factor analyses suggested a hierarchical structure composed of a single higher-order factor and three lowerorder factors related to physical, cognitive and social concern. ASI-3 score comparisons across the different anxiety disorder groups indicated that panic disorder patients produced significantly higher overall ASI-3 scores as well as on the physical and social subscales.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the portuguese Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21

Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 2012

To determine which of three published models best characterizes the factor structure of the Portuguese version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 and to assess its validity and reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis of Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 for 1,297 adult, primary care outpatients (66.7% female, Mage = 48.57 years) comparing 3 models. The relationship between the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule was analyzed. The correlated 3-factor model fit the data best. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency, with alpha scores of the subscales ranging from 0.836 to 0.897. Correlation with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule was positive and moderate with the negative affect scale; it was negative and limited with the positive affect. These findings support the correlated 3-factor structure. The test demonstrated adequate reliability and construct validity, which supports its use for screening in primary...