vix.ing · top · new · best · stats

A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2006/05/22 by Robert L. Spitzer, Kurt Kroenke, Janet B. W. Williams +2 · 32,069 citations
Arts and Humanities · Medicine · Psychology · #Anxiety #Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Clinical psychology #Construct validity #Convergent validity #Criterion validity #Generalized anxiety disorder #Historical Art and Architecture Studies #Historical Studies of Medieval Iberia #Medical diagnosis #Medicine #Medieval Architecture and Archaeology #Mental Health Research Topics #Mental health #Psychiatry #Psychology #Psychometrics

paper · doi:10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092

published in Archives of Internal Medicine 166(10), 1092 (American Medical Association)

openalex publication_date 2006/05/22 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common mental disorders; however, there is no brief clinical measure for assessing GAD. The objective of this study was to develop a brief self-report scale to identify probable cases of GAD and evaluate its reliability and validity. METHODS: A criterion-standard study was performed in 15 primary care clinics in the United States from November 2004 through June 2005. Of a total of 2740 adult patients completing a study questionnaire, 965 patients had a telephone interview with a mental health professional within 1 week. For criterion and construct validity, GAD self-report scale diagnoses were compared with independent diagnoses made by mental health professionals; functional status measures; disability days; and health care use. RESULTS: A 7-item anxiety scale (GAD-7) had good reliability, as well as criterion, construct, factorial, and procedural validity. A cut point was identified that optimized sensitivity (89%) and specificity (82%). Increasing scores on the scale were strongly associated with multiple domains of functional impairment (all 6 Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form General Health Survey scales and disability days). Although GAD and depression symptoms frequently co-occurred, factor analysis confirmed them as distinct dimensions. Moreover, GAD and depression symptoms had differing but independent effects on functional impairment and disability. There was good agreement between self-report and interviewer-administered versions of the scale. CONCLUSION: The GAD-7 is a valid and efficient tool for screening for GAD and assessing its severity in clinical practice and research.

Cited by

Related