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Generalized anxiety disorder severity scale (GADSS): a preliminary validation study
Author(s) -
Shear Katherine,
Belnap Bea Herbeck,
Mazumdar Sati,
Houck Patricia,
Rollman Bruce L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
depression and anxiety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6394
pISSN - 1091-4269
DOI - 10.1002/da.20149
Subject(s) - generalized anxiety disorder , panic disorder , discriminant validity , clinical psychology , anxiety , psychology , convergent validity , anxiety disorder , internal consistency , psychiatry , anxiety sensitivity , medical diagnosis , panic , psychometrics , medicine , pathology
To assist researchers and clinicians in primary care with assessment and treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), we developed a simple standardized instrument, similar to the Panic Disorder Severity Scale. Independent evaluators used the six‐item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale (GADSS) to conduct telephone assessments of 330 patients from four primary care facilities with DSM‐IV diagnoses of GAD and/or panic disorder who were participating in a study of the effectiveness of collaborative care treatment. Participants were also evaluated at a 12‐month follow‐up. Internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and sensitivity to change were determined. The GADSS had high internal consistency, and showed good validity and sensitivity to change. Change in GADSS scores discriminated between two different treatment strategies. GADSS is a simple, efficient way to rate severity over the telephone in patients with established diagnoses of GAD. Depression and Anxiety 23:77–82, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.