41 research outputs found
The brief social phobic scale - a psychometric evaluation.
The Brief Social Phobia Scale (BSPS) is an observer-rated scale designed to assess the characteristic symptoms of social phobia, using three subscales-fear, avoidance, and physiological arousal-which may be combined into a total score. Each of 18 BSPS items is anchored to a 5-point rating scale. Psychometric evaluation of the BSPS in a sample of 275 social-phobia patients yielded a high level of reliability and validity. Test-retest reliability was excellent, as was internal consistency. The fear and avoidance subscales demonstrated highly significant correlations with remaining item totals; however, the physiological subscale did not. The BSPS also demonstrated significant relationships with other established scales that assess anxiety and disability, and it proved sensitive to treatment effects in a trial of a 5-HT3 antagonist and placebo. Factor analysis yielded six meaningful factors. We conclude that the BSPS provides a reliable, valid, and sensitive measure for the evaluation of social phobia.http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S003329179600421
Assessment of a new self-rating scale for post-traumatic stress disorder
Background. In post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) there is a need for self-rating scales that
are sensitive to treatment effects and have been tested in a broad range of trauma survivors.
Separate measures of frequency and severity may also provide an advantage. Methods. Three hundred and fifty-three men and women completed the Davidson Trauma Scale
(DTS), a 17-item scale measuring each DSM-IV symptom of PTSD on 5-point frequency and
severity scales. These subjects comprised war veterans, survivors of rape or hurricane and a
mixed trauma group participating in a clinical trial. Other scales were included as validity
checks as follows: Global ratings, SCL-90-R, Eysenck Scale, Impact of Event Scale and
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. Results. The scale demonstrated good test–retest reliability (r = 0·86), internal consistency
(r = 0·99). One main factor emerged for severity and a smaller one for intrusion. In PTSD diagnosed
subjects, and the factor structure more closely resembled the traditional grouping of symptoms.
Concurrent validity was obtained against the SCID, with a diagnostic accuracy of 83% at a DTS
score of 40. Good convergent and divergent validity was obtained. The DTS showed predictive
validity against response to treatment, as well as being sensitive to treatment effects. Conclusions. The DTS showed good reliability and validity, and offers promised as a scale which
is particularly suited to assessing symptom severity, treatment outcome and in screening for the
likely diagnosis of PTSD
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Assessment of a new self-rating scale for post-traumatic stress disorder
Background. In post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) there is a need for self-rating scales that
are sensitive to treatment effects and have been tested in a broad range of trauma survivors.
Separate measures of frequency and severity may also provide an advantage. Methods. Three hundred and fifty-three men and women completed the Davidson Trauma Scale
(DTS), a 17-item scale measuring each DSM-IV symptom of PTSD on 5-point frequency and
severity scales. These subjects comprised war veterans, survivors of rape or hurricane and a
mixed trauma group participating in a clinical trial. Other scales were included as validity
checks as follows: Global ratings, SCL-90-R, Eysenck Scale, Impact of Event Scale and
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. Results. The scale demonstrated good test–retest reliability (r = 0·86), internal consistency
(r = 0·99). One main factor emerged for severity and a smaller one for intrusion. In PTSD diagnosed
subjects, and the factor structure more closely resembled the traditional grouping of symptoms.
Concurrent validity was obtained against the SCID, with a diagnostic accuracy of 83% at a DTS
score of 40. Good convergent and divergent validity was obtained. The DTS showed predictive
validity against response to treatment, as well as being sensitive to treatment effects. Conclusions. The DTS showed good reliability and validity, and offers promised as a scale which
is particularly suited to assessing symptom severity, treatment outcome and in screening for the
likely diagnosis of PTSD