Psychometric Assessments

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) assessment is a tool used to identify the presence and impact of negative experiences in childhood. It is a simple scoring method that tallies various types of abuse, neglect, and household challenges faced during childhood. The ACE assessment helps in understanding the cumulative effect of these experiences on a person's health and well-being.

The ACE assessment was developed from the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, a large-scale investigation conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Vincent Felitti and Dr. Robert Anda led the study in the 1990s, focusing on the long-term effects of childhood trauma.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a widely recognised screening tool used to identify individuals with risky or hazardous alcohol consumption patterns as well as those with established alcohol use disorders. It is designed to prompt an early response in primary care settings and is sensitive to the full spectrum of alcohol problems.

Developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1982, the AUDIT was the result of a multinational collaborative project. It was created to detect alcohol problems experienced within the past year, providing a framework for intervention to reduce or prevent harmful consequences.

The Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM) is a concise, self-report instrument designed to assess the presence and severity of manic or hypomanic symptoms. Comprising just 5 items, the ASRM is valued for its brevity and ease of use in both clinical and research settings.

Developed by Dr. Sidney Altman, this scale was designed to provide a quick and effective tool for assessing mania. The ASRM aligns with the CARS-M, YMRS, and DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, enhancing its utility as a screening and diagnostic instrument.

The Australian Treatment Outcomes Profile (ATOP) is a concise and effective tool designed to evaluate the impact of substance use treatment on individuals. It is a 22-item instrument focusing on assessing various parameters of substance use and general health and wellbeing over the preceding four weeks.

Developed in Australia, ATOP was designed with the intention to provide a standardised method for monitoring treatment outcomes in substance use. The assessment tool was created to capture the multifaceted nature of substance abuse treatment outcomes, recognising the importance of both substance use and overall wellbeing. It is a patient reported outcome measure (PROM) and clinical risk screening tool, eliciting responses directly from clients and is designed to be incorporated into routine clinical care in Alcohol and other Drug (AoD) treatment settings.

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a self-assessment tool designed to measure the severity of autism spectrum traits in adults. It consists of 50 questions, each allowing the respondent to indicate the degree to which they agree or disagree with a given statement. This assessment focuses on five different areas: social skills, attention switching, attention to detail, communication, and imagination.

The AQ was developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and his colleagues at the Cambridge Autism Research Centre, first published in 2001. Its creation was driven by the need for a quick, reliable, and quantifiable measure of autism spectrum traits in adults.

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a highly regarded self-report inventory designed to assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. Developed in several versions, including BDI, BDI-1A, and the more recent BDI-II, it consists of 21 questions, each with multiple-choice answers. The BDI is celebrated for its simplicity and efficiency in clinical settings.

Created by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck, the BDI was initially published in 1961, with subsequent revisions in 1971 (BDI-1A) and 1996 (BDI-II). Beck's development of the inventory was part of a larger shift in psychiatry towards cognitive theory, focusing on how a person's thoughts and beliefs influence their mood and behavior.

The Big Five Personality Test, based on the Five-Factor Model (FFM), is a widely acknowledged personality assessment tool. It evaluates five major dimensions of human personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN).

Developed through the collaborative efforts of various personality psychologists in the early 1990s, the Big Five Personality Test evolved from common language descriptors to a structured psychological model. It represents a significant advancement in the understanding of personality.

The Binge Eating Scale (BES) is a specialised 16-item questionnaire designed to identify the presence and severity of binge eating behaviours that could indicate an eating disorder. This self-report tool is vital in both clinical and research settings for understanding binge eating patterns.

The BES was developed to specifically address the need for an effective tool to assess binge eating behaviors, which are key indicators of certain eating disorders. This scale provides a focused approach to understanding the behavioural and emotional aspects of binge eating.

The CAGE Alcohol Questionnaire is a brief and widely used screening tool for identifying potential alcohol problems. It consists of just four questions, designed to be easy to administer and interpret. The focus of CAGE is on identifying problematic drinking behaviours and patterns that might indicate alcohol abuse or dependence.

Developed by Dr. John A. Ewing, founder of the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the CAGE questionnaire was introduced in the 1970s. Its purpose was to provide a straightforward and effective method for identifying individuals who might benefit from further alcohol dependency evaluation.

The Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST), formerly known as the Childhood Asperger’s Syndrome Test, is a parent-reported questionnaire designed to identify autism spectrum symptoms in children. Comprising 39 items, this test uses simple 'yes' or 'no' responses to evaluate behavioural and developmental characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorders.

Developed by the Autism Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Cambridge, the CAST was designed to be a practical and accessible tool for early screening of autism spectrum conditions. Its development reflects a broader effort to enhance early detection and intervention in autism research and care.

The Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire – Revised (CPAQ-R) is a 20-item instrument designed to assess the degree of acceptance individuals have regarding their chronic pain. Acceptance in this context refers to the willingness to experience pain without trying to control or avoid it, allowing individuals to focus more on valued life activities and goals.

The CPAQ-R is an updated version of the original CPAQ, offering improved reliability and validity. It was developed by researchers in the field of chronic pain to better understand and measure the concept of pain acceptance.

The Client Motivation for Therapy Scale (CMOTS) is a psychometric tool designed to measure a client's motivation for therapy. It assesses various dimensions of motivation, including Intrinsic Motivation, four forms of Extrinsic Motivation (integrated, identified, introjected, and external regulation), and Amotivation.

Developed by researchers in the field of psychology, the CMOTS is grounded in Self-Determination Theory. It is used to understand the motivational factors that influence a client's engagement in therapy.

The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation 10 (CORE-10) is a concise, 10-item assessment measure developed to identify and track symptoms of psychological distress. It is designed for flexibility, being suitable for both screening purposes and ongoing evaluation throughout the course of treatment.

The CORE-10 was developed as a shorter version of the CORE-OM (Outcome Measure) to provide a quick and efficient tool for routine use in clinical settings. Its primary objective is to assess and monitor the progress of individuals undergoing psychological therapy.

The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is a widely used, evidence-based tool for assessing suicide risk. Developed for clinical and research settings, it offers a detailed evaluation of suicidal ideation and behavior. The C-SSRS is recognized for its effectiveness in identifying individuals at various stages of suicide risk, from mild thoughts to severe plans and actions.

The C-SSRS was developed by researchers at Columbia University, led by Dr. Kelly Posner. Its development was part of a collaborative effort involving various institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Colorado, under the auspices of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and with funding from the National Institute of Mental Health.

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) is a set of three self-report scales designed to measure the emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress. It consists of 21 items, each reflecting a specific aspect of distress over the past week. The DASS-21 is widely recognised for its ability to quantitatively assess these emotional states along continua, rather than providing categorical diagnoses.

The DASS-21 was developed by Syd Lovibond and Peter Lovibond at the University of New South Wales in 1995. It was designed as a shorter version of the original 42-item DASS, with the aim of efficiently assessing the core symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

The Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) is an effective screening tool designed to identify individuals with drug-related problems. It comprises 11 items that assess the level of drug intake and the presence of substance abuse or dependence, aligning with diagnostic criteria from the ICD-10 and DSM-IV.

The DUDIT was developed as a complement to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). It was created to address the need for a simple, self-administered screening instrument specifically focused on identifying problematic drug use.

The Eating Attitudes Test - 26 Item (EAT-26) is a widely used and well-validated screening tool designed to identify symptoms and concerns characteristic of eating disorders. The EAT-26 primarily helps in indicating whether an individual might have an eating disorder that necessitates professional evaluation. It is important to note that this tool is for screening purposes and not for diagnostic conclusions.

The EAT-26, an adaptation of the original 40-item EAT, was developed to streamline the process of identifying eating disorder symptoms in a broad range of populations. It is a critical tool in both clinical settings and research for early detection of eating disorders.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a concise, self-administered questionnaire developed specifically to identify women at risk for postpartum depression. This 10-item scale is a widely recognised tool for its effectiveness in screening for perinatal depression.

The EPDS was created to address the need for a reliable, easy-to-use screening tool for postpartum depression, recognizing the high prevalence and potential impact of this condition.

The Flourishing Scale is a concise yet comprehensive tool designed to assess an individual's self-perceived success across several key life domains. Comprising 8 items, it evaluates important aspects such as relationships, self-esteem, purpose in life, and optimism, culminating in a single score that represents the individual’s overall psychological well-being.

The Flourishing Scale was developed as a means to provide a quick and effective measurement of a person's subjective well-being. Its emphasis on multiple facets of personal success makes it a versatile tool in psychological assessments.

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Item Scale (GAD-7) is a concise self-report tool primarily used for screening and measuring the severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Comprising 7 items, it assesses the frequency of symptoms associated with GAD such as worry, nervousness, and irritability over the last two weeks.

The GAD-7 was developed by Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues. It was specifically designed to facilitate the recognition and diagnosis of GAD in primary care settings, but has since been widely adopted in various clinical and research environments.

The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) is a simple, self-report questionnaire designed to measure the level of psychological distress an individual has experienced in the most recent 4-week period. It focuses on symptoms of anxiety and depression, assessing the severity of emotional states rather than diagnostic criteria. The K-10 was developed by Professor Ronald C. Kessler of Harvard University. Originally created for the US National Health Interview Survey, it has since gained widespread use in various settings for mental health screening.

The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a self-administered diagnostic tool for assessing depression severity. It forms the 9-item depression module of the larger Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). The PHQ-9 focuses on the various criteria for depressive disorders as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

The PHQ-9 was developed as part of the larger PHQ by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues. It was designed to facilitate the identification and management of depression in primary care settings, though it is also widely used in other clinical environments and research.

The Agnew Relationship Measure-5 (ARM-5) is a brief, client-rated questionnaire focused on assessing the therapeutic relationship in counselling and psychotherapy. It emphasises the client's perspective of the relationship with their therapist, measuring aspects like empathy, collaboration, and mutual goal setting.

The ARM-5 was developed to support clinicians in the practice of Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT), a client-centered approach that integrates client feedback into the therapeutic process. The measure's brevity and simplicity make it suitable for regular use in therapy sessions.