Development of a new resilience scale: the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC)

Resilience may be viewed as a measure of stress coping ability and, as such, could be an important target of treatment in anxiety, depression, and stress reactions. We describe a new rating scale to assess resilience. The Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC) comprises of 25 items, each rated on a 5-point scale (0-4), with higher scores reflecting greater resilience. The scale was administered to subjects in the following groups: community sample, primary care outpatients, general psychiatric outpatients, clinical trial of generalized anxiety disorder, and two clinical trials of PTSD. The reliability, validity, and factor analytic structure of the scale were evaluated, and reference scores for study samples were calculated. Sensitivity to treatment effects was examined in subjects from the PTSD clinical trials. The scale demonstrated good psychometric properties and factor analysis yielded five factors. A repeated measures ANOVA showed that an increase in CD-RISC score was associated with greater improvement during treatment. Improvement in CD-RISC score was noted in proportion to overall clinical global improvement, with greatest increase noted in subjects with the highest global improvement and deterioration in CD-RISC score in those with minimal or no global improvement. The CD-RISC has sound psychometric properties and distinguishes between those with greater and lesser resilience. The scale demonstrates that resilience is modifiable and can improve with treatment, with greater improvement corresponding to higher levels of global improvement.     

Measuring resilience in women experiencing infertility using the CD-RISC: Examining infertility-related stress, general distress, and coping styles

Psychological morbidity concurrent with fertility problems has been the focus of substantial scientific inquiry. However, researchers have largely overlooked psychological resilience within this population. This study explored the associations between resilience, infertility-related and general distress, and coping behaviors in forty women from nine fertility clinics throughout the United States. Participants completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Beck-Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), and Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ). Women with fertility problems evidenced significantly lower resilience scores than published norms. This study established evidence for the reliability and convergent validity of the CD-RISC with infertile populations. However, similar to other studies using this instrument, the factor structure reported by Connor and Davidson [Connor KM, Davidson JR. Development of a new resilience scale: the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety 2003;18:76-82] was not well supported. Resilience was negatively associated with infertility-specific and general distress. Engagement in action-focused coping skills was positively correlated with resilience. Implications for enhancing resilience with this population as are discussed.     

Spanish validation of the 10-item Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10) with non-professional caregivers

Objectives: Despite the importance of resilience in populations under stress, and the fact that the 10-item version Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10) is the shortest instrument for reliable and valid evaluation of resilience, there are no data on their psychometric properties in non-professional caregivers. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the spanish version of the CD-RISC 10 in non-professional caregivers.

Method: Independently trained assessors evaluated resilience, self-esteem, social support, emotional distress and depression in a sample of 294 caregivers (89.8% women, mean age 55.3 years).

Results: The internal consistency of CD-RISC 10 was α = .86. A single factor was found that accounted for 44.7% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis corroborated this unifactorial model. The CD-RISC 10 was significantly correlated with the self-esteem (r = .416, p < .001) and social support (r = .228, p < .001) scales, and the emotional distress scale (r = –.311, p < .001), though this was an inverse relationship. A score ≤ 23 was a suitable cut-off point for discriminating caregivers with depression (sensitivity = 70.0%, specificity = 68.2%).

Conclusion: The CD-RISC 10 is a reliable and valid instrument to evaluate resilience in the caregiver population.     

Measurement and predictors of resilience among community-dwelling older women

BackgroundResilience, the ability to adapt positively to adversity, may be an important factor in successful aging. However, the assessment and correlates of resilience in elderly individuals have not received adequate attention.MethodA total of 1395 community-dwelling women over age 60 who were participants at the San Diego Clinical Center of the Women’s Health Initiative completed the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), along with other scales pertinent to successful cognitive aging. Internal consistency and predictors of the CD-RISC were examined, as well as the consistency of its factor structure with published reports.ResultsThe mean age of the cohort was 73 (7.2) years and 14% were Hispanic, 76% were non-Hispanic white, and nearly all had completed a high school education (98%). The mean total score on the CD-RISC was 75.7 (sd = 13.0). This scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92). Exploratory factor analysis yielded four factors (somewhat different from those previously reported among younger adults) that reflected items involving: (1) personal control and goal orientation, (2) adaptation and tolerance for negative affect, (3) leadership and trust in instincts, and (4) spiritual coping. The strongest predictors of CD-RISC scores in this study were higher emotional well-being, optimism, self-rated successful aging, social engagement, and fewer cognitive complaints.ConclusionsOur study suggests that the CD-RISC is an internally consistent scale for assessing resilience among older women, and that greater resilience as assessed by the CD-RISC related positively to key components of successful aging.     

The relationship between morningness-eveningness and resilience in mood disorder patients

BackgroundThere is some evidence that resilience is related to mental illness. Patients with a mood disorder have a tendency to show eveningness, and they tend to be less resilient. However, no study has investigated the association between resilience and morningness-eveningness in patients with a mood disorder. The aim of this study was to explore whether morningness-eveningness is related to resilience in patients with a mood disorder.MethodsWe recruited 224 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), 77 with bipolar disorder (BD), and 958 control participants. Morningness-eveningness and resilience were evaluated using the Composite Scale of Morningness (CS) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), respectively.ResultsThe CD-RISC scores were significantly lower in patients with MDD, followed by those with BD, than those of the control group. The CD-RISC score was positively correlated with the CS score in patients with MDD and BD. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that the CS score was significantly associated with the CD-RISC score after controlling for the possible influence of age, gender, length of education, economic status, onset age, and suicide attempt history in the MDD group. However, the association did not reach statistical significance in patients with BD.ConclusionsHigher resilience was positively correlated with morningness in patients with MDD or BD. In multiple regression analysis, a significant linear relationship was observed between resilience and morningness only in patients with MDD. The biological mechanism underlying the relationship between morningness-eveningness and resilience should be explored.     

Measurement and predictors of resilience among community-dwelling older women

Background

Resilience, the ability to adapt positively to adversity, may be an important factor in successful aging. However, the assessment and correlates of resilience in elderly individuals have not received adequate attention.

Method

A total of 1395 community-dwelling women over age 60 who were participants at the San Diego Clinical Center of the Women’s Health Initiative completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), along with other scales pertinent to successful cognitive aging. Internal consistency and predictors of the CD-RISC were examined, as well as the consistency of its factor structure with published reports.

Results

The mean age of the cohort was 73 (7.2) years and 14% were Hispanic, 76% were non-Hispanic white, and nearly all had completed a high school education (98%). The mean total score on the CD-RISC was 75.7 (sd = 13.0). This scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92). Exploratory factor analysis yielded four factors (somewhat different from those previously reported among younger adults) that reflected items involving: (1) personal control and goal orientation, (2) adaptation and tolerance for negative affect, (3) leadership and trust in instincts, and (4) spiritual coping. The strongest predictors of CD-RISC scores in this study were higher emotional well-being, optimism, self-rated successful aging, social engagement, and fewer cognitive complaints.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the CD-RISC is an internally consistent scale for assessing resilience among older women, and that greater resilience as assessed by the CD-RISC related positively to key components of successful aging.     

Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale

Objective

The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) measures various aspects of psychological resilience in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric ailments. This study sought to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (K-CD-RISC).

Methods

In total, 576 participants were enrolled (497 females and 79 males), including hospital nurses, university students, and firefighters. Subjects were evaluated using the K-CD-RISC, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were examined as a measure of reliability, and convergent validity and factor analysis were also performed to evaluate validity.

Results

Cronbach''s α coefficient and test-retest reliability were 0.93 and 0.93, respectively. The total score on the K-CD-RISC was positively correlated with the RSES (r=0.56, p<0.01). Conversely, BDI (r=-0.46, p<0.01), PSS (r=-0.32, p<0.01), and IES-R scores (r=-0.26, p<0.01) were negatively correlated with the K-CD-RISC. The K-CD-RISC showed a five-factor structure that explained 57.2% of the variance.

Conclusion

The K-CD-RISC showed good reliability and validity for measurement of resilience among Korean subjects.     

Psychometric properties of the Haitian Creole version of the Resilience Scale with a sample of adult survivors of the 2010 earthquake

BackgroundResilience is defined as the ability of people to cope with disasters and significant life adversities. The present paper aims to investigate the underlying structure of the Creole version of the Resilience Scale and its psychometric properties using a sample of adult survivors of the 2010 earthquake.MethodsA parallel analysis was conducted to determine the number of factors to extract and confirmatory factor analysis was performed using a sample of 1355 adult survivors of the 2010 earthquake from people of specific places where earthquake occurred with an average age of 31.57 (SD = 14.42). All participants completed the Creole version of Resilience Scale (RS), the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Social Support Questionnaire (SQQ-6). To facilitate exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the sample was divided into two subsamples (subsample 1 for EFA and subsample 2 for CFA).ResultsParallel analysis and confirmatory factor analysis results showed a good-fit 3-factor structure. The Cronbach α coefficient was .79, .74 and .72 respectively for the factor 1, 2 and 3 and correlated to each other. Construct validity of the Resilience scale was provided by significant correlation with measures of depression and social support satisfaction, but no correlation was found with posttraumatic stress disorder measure, except for factor 2.ConclusionsThe results reveal a different factorial structure including 25 items of the RS. However, the Haitian Creole version of RS is a valid and reliable measure for assessing resilience for adults in Haiti.     

Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale among Chinese adolescents

Objectives

Resilience refers to psychological characteristics that promote effective coping and positive adaptation in adversity. This study investigated the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) among adolescents.

Methods

A total of 2914 Chinese adolescents living in Chengdu, Sichuan, completed the CD-RISC 1 month after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. They also self-administered the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Children's Depression Inventory, and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders. With confirmatory factor analysis, various factor structures of the CD-RISC reported in previous studies (eg, the 5- and 3-factor models) were examined at the first-order level; and a single factor of resilience was investigated at the second-order level in this sample. The internal consistency and concurrent validity were investigated. Sex and age differences were also examined.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis results showed that the 5-factor model originally derived among US community adults was replicated in our sample, and these 5 factors also loaded on a higher-order “resilience” factor. The Cronbach α coefficient was 0.89. The resilience scores demonstrated expected positive correlation with social support (r = 0.44) and negative correlations with depression (r = −0.38) and anxiety (r = −0.25) (Ps < .001). Male participants reported higher resilience scores than female participants, and younger participants also reported higher resilience scores than older participants.

Conclusions

The Chinese version of the CD-RISC was demonstrated to be a reliable and valid measurement in assessing resilience among Chinese adolescents.     

Un changement de paradigme au sein du DSM ? Le cas de la personnalité borderline à l’adolescence

The diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder in adolescence has recently been included into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (1994) and clinical studies showed that this disorder could be diagnosed reliably with this definition. Although the legitimacy of its place in the DSM is questioned. While DSM nosological approach assume to ensure that psychiatric diagnoses are reliable, it appears that other determinants are decisive in the process of legitimation of this pathology. Indeed, international literature shows that borderline personality disorder in adolescence has a weak construct validity that questioned the validity of this diagnosis in the context of Evidence Based Medicine. For the first time, this argument leads to a possible withdrawal of the category in the next version of the DSM. Authors hypothesize that this could be analyzed as a paradigm shift in the DSM. The issue is no longer the reliability produced by the diagnosis in a “paradigm of objectivity,” but its construct validity in a “paradigm of validity.” This would result in an increased visibility of the diagnostic utility in the nosological categorization.     

Individual-level factors associated with mental health in Rwandan youth affected by HIV/AIDS

Purpose

Prevention of mental disorders worldwide requires a greater understanding of protective processes associated with lower levels of mental health problems in children who face pervasive life stressors. This study aimed to identify culturally appropriate indicators of individual-level protective factors in Rwandan adolescents where risk factors, namely poverty and a history of trauma, have dramatically shaped youth mental health.

Methods

The sample included 367 youth aged 10–17 in rural Rwanda. An earlier qualitative study of the same population identified the constructs “kwihangana” (patience/perseverance) and “kwigirira ikizere” (self-esteem) as capturing local perceptions of individual-level characteristics that helped reduce risks of mental health problems in youth. Nine items from the locally derived constructs were combined with 25 items from an existing scale that aligned well with local constructs—the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). We assessed the factor structure of the CD-RISC expanded scale using exploratory factor analysis and determined the correlation of the expanded CD-RISC with depression and functional impairment.

Results

The CD-RISC expanded scale displayed high internal consistency (α?=?0.93). Six factors emerged, which we labeled: perseverance, adaptability, strength/sociability, active engagement, self-assuredness, and sense of self-worth. Protective factor scale scores were significantly and inversely correlated with depression and functional impairment (r?=??0.49 and r?=???0.38, respectively).

Conclusions

An adapted scale displayed solid psychometric properties for measuring protective factors in Rwandan youth. Identifying culturally appropriate protective factors is a key component of research associated with the prevention of mental health problems and critical to the development of cross-cultural strength-based interventions for children and families.

     

The Claustrophobia Questionnaire

The content and psychometric properties of the Claustrophobia Questionnaire (CLQ) are described. An earlier version of the CLQ was developed to test the hypothesis that claustrophobia is comprised of two distinct but related fears--the fear of suffocation and the fear of restriction [J. Anxiety Disord. 7 (1993) 281.]. The scale was used to assess patients undergoing the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure [J. Behav. Med. 21 (1998) 255.] and in participants with panic disorder [J. Abnorm. Psychol. 105 (1996) 146; Taylor, S., Rachman, S., & Radomsky, A. S. (1996). The prediction of panic: a comparison of suffocation false alarm and cognitive theories. Unpublished data.]. On the basis of these studies, we decided to revise and shorten the CLQ, collect normative data, and provide information on the scale's predictive and discriminant validity as well as its internal consistency and test-retest reliability. This was done through a set of four interconnected studies that included psychometric analyses of undergraduate and community adult questionnaire responses and behavioural testing. Results indicate that the CLQ has good predictive and discriminant validity as well as good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The CLQ appears to be a reliable and sensitive measure of claustrophobia and its component fears. We encourage the use of the CLQ in a variety of clinical and research applications. The scale is provided in this paper for public use.     

The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire: development, reliability and validity

The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) is a self-report scale designed to screen for the most common DSM-IV axis I disorders encountered in outpatient mental health settings. We report the results of four studies of the PDSQ involving more than 2,500 subjects receiving outpatient mental health care. In two studies we examined the understandability of the items on the PDSQ. Items that initially were less well understood were rewritten, and all items of the final version of the scale were understood by more than 90% of the respondents. In the other two studies, the reliability and validity of the PDSQ subscales was examined. A priori criteria were established to guide the revision of subscales. The final version of the questionnaire contains 13 subscales (major depressive disorder [MDD], bulimia, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD], alcohol abuse/dependence, drug abuse/dependence, somatization, hypochondriasis, and psychosis), each of which achieved good to excellent levels of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant, convergent, and concurrent validity.     

Measuring community mental health in developing societies: evaluation of a checklist format in Nepal

BACKGROUND: There is growing recognition of the importance of mental health problems in developing countries. In large part, however, we have very limited epidemiological data at national and/or community levels about the prevalence of mental illnesses. AIMS: The purpose of this paper is to describe the reliability and validity characteristics of an assessment tool that may be useful for conducting community-level surveys (particularly in rural communities of developing countries) to obtain prevalence rates of mental illnesses. METHODS: We used a sample of adults residing in a rural village in Nepal to assess disorders with a modified version of the DSM-III-R Checklist. We evaluated construct validity, scale reliability, convergent validity and discriminant validity. RESULTS: There is strong evidence for the construct validity of generalized anxiety and depression in our sample. By contrast, the symptoms associated with mania and schizophrenia were not empirically distinct. Convergent validity is acceptable. As a test of validity characteristics, the pattern of sociodemographic correlations suggests that the specific social origins of disorder in Nepal will require further investigation. CONCLUSION: The first step in obtaining high quality information on the distribution of mental illness in developing countries is to establish some reliable and valid indicators of disorder. The checklist format for assessing disorder appears to meet this objective and offers the possibility that community-level prevalence studies can be reasonably conducted.     

Psychometric evaluation of the shortened resilience scale among Alzheimer's caregivers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the shortened Resilience Scale (15-item version RS15) among a sample of Alzheimer's caregivers. Self-reported data were collected from 229 participants at 2 Alzheimer's caregiver conferences. RS15 principal axis factoring indicated a single-dimensional solution with all items loaded. Reliability was strong. Convergent validity for the RS15 was suggested through its correlations with stress, family support, and friend support. Odds ratios showed significant likelihoods of high resilience given low stress and high social support. The results confirmed the RS15 to be a psychometrically sound measure that can be used to appraise the efficacy of adaptability among Alzheimer's caregivers.     

Influence of temperament and character on resilience

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of temperament and character on resilience.

Methods

A total of 4355 participants completed two questionnaires: the Conner–Davison Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised Short (TCI-RS). We used Pearson's correlations to evaluate the correlation between the dimensions of the TCI and the CD-RISC. To determine the most influential TCI dimension with respect to the CD-RISC, a backward multiple regression analysis was performed.

Results

The resilience of both men and women was positively correlated with persistence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness. Conversely, harm avoidance was negatively correlated with resilience. In addition, reward dependence in men and self-transcendence in women were positively correlated with resilience. In the multiple regression analysis, persistence, self-directedness, and harm avoidance significantly predicted resilience after adjusting for age and gender.

Conclusion

This results show that social support is affected by personality, which consists of both temperament and character. High persistence and self-directedness as well as low harm avoidance are found to contribute to a better stress response.     

Liebowitz 社交焦虑量表在社交焦虑障碍评定中的应用

背景在过去20年,越来越多的量表应用于评估社交焦虑障碍。Liebowitz社交焦虑量表(LiebowitzSocialAnxietyScale,LSAS)在临床及流行病学调查中应用广泛,尤其对社交焦虑障碍药物治疗疗效的评估优于其他量表[3],同时该量表是唯一一个将社交焦虑障碍的回避症状及害怕症状分开评定的量表。因此我们探讨LSAS在评定社交焦虑障碍患者与正常人群的信度及效度,以及该量表在医生评定及患者自评之间可能存在的差别。方法本研究收录在2002年10月至2003年11月期间于中山大学附属第三医院精神科门诊求诊的未经治疗的社交焦虑障碍患者作为患者组,所有患者符合美国精神障碍诊断和统计手册第四版(DSM-IV)社交焦虑障碍的诊断标准。共55例患者纳入本研究,其中男性40例,女性15例。年龄为18～37岁,平均(26.2±4.8)岁,病程2～12年,平均(5.5±4.3)年,均为社交焦虑障碍的广泛亚型。收录中山大学168名社交恐怖症量表分小于24分的大学生作为正常对照组。其中男92例,女76例,年龄为20～22岁,平均(21±0.8)岁。所有研究对象均填写由作者翻译成中文的LSAS(中文版LSAS)及自编的一般情况量表。在正常对照组中随机抽取31名学生于4周后重测LSAS量表以观其重测信度。在55例患者中随机抽取33例在自己完成量表后和一名精神科医生会晤。该精神科医生就患者的情况使用LSAS量表评分。并比较自评与医评得分的可能差别。结果①患者组及正常对照组的LSAS总分与24条项目的Cronbathα信度系数分别为0.83及0.77;②LSAS总分及各因子分在31名正常对照组4周后的重测信度为0.68～0.79;③LSAS对判别社交焦虑障碍患者与在校大学生的ROC曲线下面积为0.87±0.03,以总分大于35分为界来判断有无社交焦虑障碍,其敏感度为0.77,特异度为0.81;④患者组LSAS总分明显高于正常对照组(66.6±28.3与29.1±17.3比较;P<0.001);⑤对33例患者既行自评又行医评,自评与医评得分无明显差异(64.1±30.1与61.9±23.8比较;P>0.05)。⑥无论在患者组还是在正常组,LSAS的总害怕分均高于总回避分(分别为36.8±14.1与30.0±16.0比较及16.5±9.4与12.6±9.6比较;P<0.001)。结论LSAS具有良好的内部一致性及重测信度,在评定社交焦虑障碍患者与正常人群中有很高的敏感度与特异度,并且我们建议LSAS自评总分大于或等于35分者为可能有社交焦虑障碍。LSAS在患者中的医评与自评结果无明显差异,所以临床上可使用患者自评代替医评以节约时间。我们的结果也显示出患者与正常人群的害怕症状明显均高于回避症状,因此我们认为害怕症状可能先于回避症状出现,并且可能是对社交的害怕(负性思维)导致了回避症状的出现。     

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children

ObjectThis study examines the validity and reliability of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) in the Turkish language.MethodThis scale was translated into the Turkish language by applying the translation-back translation method and content validity analysis. A total of 1903 participants aged 5–15 years were included in the study. A sociodemographic data form, SDSC, and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) were filled by the parents. Internal consistency analysis, correlation analysis, test-retest analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to evaluate the reliability and validity of the applied scale.ResultsThe internal consistency of the scale was high (Cronbach α = 0.84). Test-retest reliability was found to be high as well. According to the confirmatory factor analysis, the Turkish version of the scale was compatible with the model of the original scale. According to the T-score evaluation, the frequency of sleep disorders was determined to be 4.15%, and the most common sleep disorder was sleep hyperhidrosis. Correlations between the scores of the SDSC and CSHQ were at a satisfactory level.ConclusionsThese results revealed that the SDSC is a valid and reliable scale that can be used in children aged 5–14 years in Turkey to question sleep disorder symptoms.     

Validation of the Chinese version of the Liverpool Adverse Events Profile in patients with epilepsy

The objective of the study was to validate the Chinese version of The Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (LAEP) in patients with epilepsy. The scale was translated from the English version into a Chinese version and was then back-translated to examine its accuracy. Content validity, concurrent validity, and construct validity were then used to examine the overall validity of this scale. A cross-sectional design with convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from three medical centers. The LAEP Chinese version was tested with respect to validity and reliability in 357 patients with epilepsy, and another 28 patients were invited to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the scale in a 2-week interval. There was a good content validity index (CVI=1.0). Patients undergoing polytherapy had more adverse effects (χ(2)=6.10, p<0.01) and higher LAEP scores (t=-2.91, p<0.01) than patients undergoing monotherapy, indicating a good concurrent validity. Factor analysis included three factors classified by symptoms in the 22-item Chinese version of the LAEP. The total variance of these three factors was 39.3% for the scale. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.92) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC=0.80) were satisfactory. Moreover, the LAEP can be completed in a short time, is perceived as easy to complete, and there was no relevant information missing. The results indicated that the Chinese version of the LAEP yielded highly acceptable parameters of validity and reliability and can be used for measuring adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs among Chinese-speaking patients with epilepsy in Taiwan.     

Beyond generalized anxiety disorder: Psychometric properties of the GAD-7 in a heterogeneous psychiatric sample

BackgroundAlthough developed as a screener for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in primary care, the GAD-7 is now commonly used as a measure of general anxiety symptoms across various settings and populations. However, little is known about its psychometric properties when used in such heterogeneous samples. We examined the internal consistency, convergent validity, sensitivity and specificity, sensitivity to change, and structure of the GAD-7 in patients receiving brief, intensive CBT treatment in a partial hospital setting. We also examined the properties of a modified version that assessed symptoms over the past 24-h.MethodsParticipants (n = 1082) completed the GAD-7 upon admission and discharge from a partial hospital program. They also completed measures of worry, depression, and well being and a structured diagnostic interview. We examined psychometric properties in the total sample and separately for patients with GAD, post-traumatic stress disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and panic disorder.ResultsInternal consistency and convergent validity were good for the total sample and each anxiety disorder group. The GAD-7 demonstrated poor specificity and a high false positive rate for all anxiety disorders. Sensitivity to change was generally good. Factor analysis revealed that a one-factor structure did not fit the data well. The 24-h version performed similarly to the original version.ConclusionsThe GAD-7 performed well as a measure of anxiety symptom severity, but not as a screener in this psychiatric sample. It is a useful outcome measure for hetereogenous samples, but it may not perform as well specifically for individuals with SAD. A modified version of the GAD-7 that assessed anxiety symptoms over the past 24-h appears to be a reliable and valid modification.