Reliability, validity and sensitivity of a computerized visual analog scale measuring state anxiety.
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry
; 45(4): 447-53, 2014 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24978117
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Assessment of state anxiety is frequently required in clinical and research settings, but its measurement using standard multi-item inventories entails practical challenges. Such inventories are increasingly complemented by paper-and-pencil, single-item visual analog scales measuring state anxiety (VAS-A), which allow rapid assessment of current anxiety states. Computerized versions of VAS-A offer additional advantages, including facilitated and accurate data collection and analysis, and applicability to computer-based protocols. Here, we establish the psychometric properties of a computerized VAS-A.METHODS:
Experiment 1 assessed the reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the computerized VAS-A in a non-selected sample. Experiment 2 assessed its sensitivity to increase in state anxiety following social stress induction, in participants with high levels of social anxiety.RESULTS:
Experiment 1 demonstrated the computerized VAS-A's test-retest reliability (r = .44, p < .001); convergent validity with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory's state subscale (STAI-State; r = .60, p < .001); and discriminant validity as indicated by significantly lower correlations between VAS-A and different psychological measures relative to the correlation between VAS-A and STAI-State. Experiment 2 demonstrated the VAS-A's sensitivity to changes in state anxiety via a significant pre- to during-stressor rise in VAS-A scores (F(1,48) = 25.13, p < .001).LIMITATIONS:
Set-order administration of measures, absence of clinically-anxious population, and gender-unbalanced samples.CONCLUSIONS:
The adequate psychometric characteristics, combined with simple and rapid administration, make the computerized VAS-A a valuable self-rating tool for state anxiety. It may prove particularly useful for clinical and research settings where multi-item inventories are less applicable, including computer-based treatment and assessment protocols. The VAS-A is freely available http//people.socsci.tau.ac.il/mu/anxietytrauma/visual-analog-scale/.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Ansiedad
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Diagnóstico por Computador
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Escala Visual Analógica
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
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Guideline
Límite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article