Identifying Individuals With Generalised Anxiety Disorder: A Receiver Operator Characteristic Analysis of Theoretically Relevant Measures

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Curtiss ◽  
David H. Klemanski
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Receiver Operator Characteristic ◽  
Generalised Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
General Distress ◽  
Penn State ◽  
State Worry ◽  
Mood Group

This article appraises the ability of several measures, assessing symptomatology theoretically relevant to generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), to accomplish successful classification of individuals with DSM-IV GAD and individuals with mood or other anxiety disorders. Participants were 197 individuals (average age = 36.43; 67.5% female) receiving treatment at a clinic, who completed pretreatment self-report measures. Receiver operator characteristic analyses and logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the classificatory abilities, including sensitivity and specificity, of several GAD relevant measures. The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) accomplished significant classification in both comparison group dyads: GAD-Anxiety and GAD-Mood. Whereas the general distress of depression subscale of the Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire (MASQ) accomplished significant classification in the GAD-Anxiety group dyad, both the general distress of anxiety and anxious arousal subscales of the MASQ did so in the GAD-Mood group dyad. Only the PSWQ significantly predicted the presence of GAD, while controlling for other symptom variables. Though evidence supports the uniqueness of some symptoms of GAD, including worry, often considered pathognomonic to GAD, the modest areas under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity of the measures afford tenuous support for the utility of these measures. The lack of highly sensitive and specific symptomatology comport with critiques of GAD as a diagnostically delimited category.

Psychometric Characteristics of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire in an Argentinean Sample: A Cross-Cultural Contribution

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 452-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Rodríguez-Biglieri ◽  
Giselle Lorena Vetere
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Factorial Structure ◽  
Psychometric Characteristics ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
Penn State ◽  
State Worry

Although studies in several populations have provided support for Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSQW) reliability and validity, factor analysis studies carried out on different populations show divergent results. The aim of this article is to contribute with the cross-cultural literature on PSWQ. This report describes two studies examining the psychometric characteristics of a revised Argentinean version of the PSWQ. In the first study, items of original PSWQ were translated into Spanish and then back-translated into English. Then, in order to examine its reliability and factorial structure, the instrument was completed by 400 community participants. The second study included two groups of participants as follows: patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and patients with other anxiety disorders (AC). Results revealed appropriated test-retest reliability over a four-week period, high internal consistency, and good convergent and discriminant validity for PSWQ. In concordance with some results reported in previous studies, a single factorial structure was confirmed for the Argentinean version of PSWQ. By the other hand, a receiver operating characteristic analysis was made to evaluate the ability of PSWQ to discriminate GAD from individuals with others anxiety disorders. A total score of 63 simultaneously optimized sensitivity and specificity in discriminating GAD patients from patients with others anxiety disorders.

Social adjustment in generalised anxiety disorder: a long-term placebo-controlled study of venlafaxine extended release

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 272-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice Boyer ◽  
Vincent Mahé ◽  
David Hackett
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Extended Release ◽  
Social Impairment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Generalised Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
The Social

AbstractThe objective of this analysis was to evaluate the short- (8 weeks) and long-term (24 weeks) efficacy of three fixed doses of venlafaxine extended release (ER) and placebo on the social adjustment of patients with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). We analysed data from 544 outpatients who participated in a 24-week, double-blind, multicentre, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study conducted at 55 centres in five countries. All patients meet the DSM-IV criteria for GAD and were randomly assigned to receive venlafaxine ER 37.5, 75, and 150 mg or matched placebo administered orally once daily. Social adjustment was measured using the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report, which explores social adaptation in the areas of work, social and leisure, extended family, primary relationship (marital), parental, and family unit. At baseline, the GAD patients had a high level of social dysfunction. Venlafaxine ER showed a dose-related improvement in social impairment during short-term treatment and in sustaining this improvement over the long-term. In the most severely socially impaired subgroup, placebo remission rates on the HAM-A were low, and the magnitude of the venlafaxine-placebo difference on the mean HAM-A total score was high, reaching more than 7 points. The benefits of venlafaxine ER treatment of GAD extend beyond that of improvement of anxiety symptoms to a significant improvement in the impairment of functioning that is associated with the illness.

Evidence-based assessment of treatment outcomes for late-life generalized anxiety disorder using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and Penn State Worry Questionnaire – Abbreviated (PSWQ-A)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Carly Johnco ◽  
Viviana M. Wuthrich ◽  
Gretchen A. Brenes ◽  
Julie Loebach Wetherell ◽  
Jan Mohlman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Treatment Response ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
Penn State ◽  
State Worry

ABSTRACT Objective: The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) is a commonly used measure of treatment outcome for late-life generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, there is considerable variability in the definitions used to define treatment response and remission. This study aimed to provide empirically derived guidelines for assessing treatment response and remission among older adults with GAD using the PSWQ and the abbreviated PSWQ (PSWQ-A). Design: Longitudinal assessment of GAD symptoms pre- and posttreatment. Participants: Participants were 259 older adults aged 60–86 years with a diagnosis of GAD who were assessed before and after treatment. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to cognitive behavioral therapy or control (waitlist, discussion group, or supportive therapy) conditions. Measurements: Signal-detection analyses using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methods were used to determine optimal agreement between structured diagnostic interviews and scores on the PSWQ and PSWQ-A. Results: Results suggest that a score of ≤51 was optimal for defining diagnostic remission status on the PSWQ, and a score of ≤24 was optimal on the PSWQ-A. A 9% reduction or ≥4-point reduction was optimal for assessing treatment response on the PSWQ. The PSWQ-A was poor at identifying treatment response status. Conclusions: Findings suggest that most of the previously used definitions have underestimated the treatment effects for late-life GAD. However overall, the PSWQ and PSWQ-A are suboptimal for assessing treatment outcome for late-life GAD. The standardization of response and remission criteria has implications for comparison between treatment trials, and for the benchmarking of outcomes in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Development and feasibility of a digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based Intervention for Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Pilot study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola R Hemmings ◽  
Jamie M Kawadler ◽  
Rachel Whatmough ◽  
Sonia Ponzo ◽  
Alessio Rossi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Generalised Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Digital Intervention ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

BACKGROUND Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by excessive worry that is difficult to control and has high comorbidity with mood disorders including depression. Individuals experience long wait times for diagnosis and often face accessibility barriers to treatment. There is a need for a digital solution that is accessible and acceptable to those with GAD. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to describe the development of a digital intervention prototype of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for GAD that sits within an existing wellbeing app platform, BioBase. A pilot feasibility study evaluating acceptability, usability and efficacy study is conducted in a sample of adults with a diagnosis of GAD, self-referred to the study. METHODS Phase 1 applied the person-based approach (creation of guiding principles, intervention design objectives and the key intervention features). In Phase 2 participants received the app-based therapeutic and paired wearable for two weeks. Self-report questionnaires were obtained at baseline and post-treatment. The primary outcome was psychological flexibility (AAQ-II) as this is the aim of ACT. Mental wellbeing (WEMWBS) and symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) were also assessed. Post-treatment usability was assessed via self-report measures (SUS) in addition to interviews that further explored feasibility of the digital intervention in this sample. RESULTS The app-based therapeutic was well received. Of 13 participants, 10 (77%) completed the treatment. Results show a high usability rating (83.5). Participants found the digital intervention to be relevant, useful and helpful in managing their anxiety. Participants had lower anxiety (d=0.69) and depression (d=0.84) scores at exit, and these differences were significantly different from baseline. Participants had higher psychological flexibility and wellbeing scores at exit, although these were not significantly different from baseline. CONCLUSIONS This ACT prototype within BioBase is an acceptable and feasible digital intervention, with evidence of preliminary efficacy in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. This study suggests this intervention warrants a larger feasibility study in adults with GAD.

Experimental examination of worry among older and young adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1177-1190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Gould ◽  
Lindsay A. Gerolimatos ◽  
Barry A. Edelstein
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Penn State ◽  
Induction Type ◽  
State Worry

ABSTRACTBackground:Worry is experienced by many older adults, yet our understanding of the emotional experience of late-life worry is poor as findings regarding older adults are inferred from findings of studies conducted with young adults. In the present study, we aimed to characterize age differences in affect, self-reported arousal, and physiological arousal experienced during worry.Methods:Fifty-three young (M = 21.4, SD = 2.6 years) and 55 older community-dwelling adults (M = 69.1, SD = 8.1 years) participated in an experimental induction of worry or pleasant/neutral recall. Measures collected included: Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), worry intensity item, Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist-Revised (MAACL-R), Self-Assessment Maniken arousal item, and heart rate. Standardized residual scores were calculated to represent change from baseline for self-report and psychophysiological measures.Results:Older adults had lower trait worry and worry intensity at baseline. A significant age by induction type interaction was found for the MAACL-R subscales of anxiety, depression, hostility, and positive affect. Compared with young adults, older adults experienced smaller changes in emotions in response to the worry induction than in the recall induction. For both worry and recall inductions, older adults exhibited less change in self-reported arousal and interbeat intervals from baseline compared with young adults.Conclusions:Findings from the present study illuminate both similarities and differences in the experience of worry for older and young adults. This study provides preliminary evidence for the characterization of late-life worry as generating less anxiety than worry during young adulthood.

Validation of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory in younger adults

2022 ◽  
pp. 016502542110643
Author(s):  
Tina Zhai ◽  
Phoebe E. Bailey ◽  
Kris D. Rogers ◽  
Ian I. Kneebone
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cutoff Score ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Component Structure ◽  
State Worry

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) in younger adults. Participants were 212 younger adults age M = 22 (range = 17–53) years. They completed a demographic information questionnaire and self-report measures: the GAI, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the Worry Behaviors Inventory (WBI). Data from the GAI were collected at two time points, one week apart, and data from other self-report measures were collected once via Qualtrics, an online survey platform. The internal consistency and test–retest score reliability of the GAI were excellent. It had good congruent validity with other anxiety measures, limited divergent validity with depression measures, and sound convergent validity with worry measures. The GAI showed good discrimination between probable cases and noncases of generalized anxiety disorder (participants who scored ⩾8 on the GAD-7) and its optimal cutoff score for probable cases of GAD was ⩾12. A unidimensional component structure of the GAI best fit this study’s data. This study has provided preliminary evidence that the GAI is reliable and valid for use in an Australian sample of younger adults.

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