VISN 19 MIRECC Specialties: Assessment

Research, Education and Clinical Care Related to
Assessment

Educational Products

Assessment Tools On-line Description

The measures listed are not intended to be a comprehensive list; rather they are tools which VISN 19 MIRECC staff frequently employ. Information on these measures is available to everyone. However, the measures should only be used by qualified mental health professionals and/or researchers. Additionally, in the context of a clinical evaluation these measures are typically used in conjunction with other measures and/or a clinical assessment, as opposed to being used as stand-alone tools.

Assessment Tools page

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Research Projects

Consistency of ANAM Performance in Those with Service Related Mild TBI

Research Team: Lisa A. Brenner PhD, Gina M. Signoracci PhD, Jeri E. Forster PhD, Kim Gorgens PhD

The purpose of this project is to explore the degree to which performance consistency on neuropsychological measures varies in a sample of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) with persistent self-reported symptoms.

Keywords: Assessment, OEF/OIF/OND, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Differentiating Between Mild Traumatic Brain Injury And Behavioral Health Conditions: The Role Of The Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory

Research Team: Nancy Cutter PhD, Lisa A. Brenner PhD, Gina M. Signoracci PhD, Bryan Alvarez MD, Melissa McHarg BA

The purpose of this retrospective chart review study is to examine differences in post-concussive (PC) symptom endorsement among four groups of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans: those with a history of target, service-related, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Group 1); those with a history of target, service-related, mTBI only (Group 2); those with PTSD only (Group 3); and those with no history of target, service-related, mTBI or PTSD (Group 4).

Keywords: Assessment, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Providing Mental Health Services to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Veterans: Provider Perspectives

Research Team: Gina M Signoracci PhD, Lisa A. Brenner PhD, Jennifer Olson-Madden PhD, Nazanin H. Bahraini PhD

The purpose of this study is to gather information from VISN 19 ECHCS Denver VA professionals regarding their perspectives of necessary resources to provide mental health service to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/ Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Veterans.

Keywords: OEF/OIF/OND

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Recent Presentations Related to Assessment

Traumatic Brain Injury among the Homeless: Current State of the Science and Clinical Implications

16-18 May 2012

Kansas City

2012 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium

Lisa Brenner, Ph.D. 

Keywords: Assessment, Homeless Veterans, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

PowerPoint | PDF

The Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS) Training What it is and why it matters

3/16/2012

Bridget Matarazzo, PsyD

Jack C. Montgomery VAMC in Muskogee, OK and Tulsa CBOC

Keywords: Assessment, Suicide Prevention

PDF

Suicide Risk Assessment in OEF/OIF/OND Veterans

10 February 2012

Bridget B. Matarazzo PsyD

VISN 6 MIRECC Educational Series

Keywords: Assessment, OEF/OIF/OND Veterans, Suicide Prevention

PDF

Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning in Military Personnel

12/5/11

Bridget B. Matarazzo PsyD

Keywords: Assessment, OEF/OIF/OND Veterans, Suicide Prevention

PDF

Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Current State of the Science, Diagnostic Challenges, and Best Clinical Practices

10/28/11

Lisa A. Brenner PhD 

Fort Carson, CO

Keywords: Assessment, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), TBI 

PowerPoint | PDF 

TBI and Aggression: Forensic Neuropsychiatric Evaluation

10/28/11

Hal S. Wortzel, MD 

Appleton CBOC

Keywords: Assessment, Brain & Biology, TBI

PowerPoint | PDF 

Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk in Primary Care

10/19/11

Peter M. Gutierrez PhD 

Appleton, WI CBOC

Keywords: Assessment, Suicide Prevention

PowerPoint | PDF 

The Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS): How Learning to Use it will make you a Better Clinician

10/18/11

Peter M. Gutierrez PhD 

Appleton, WI CBOC

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention

PowerPoint | PDF 

Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention in Military Personnel

6/13/11

Nazanin H. Bahraini PhD 

Military Healthcare Convention & Conference in San Antonio, Texas

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention

PowerPoint | PDF 

Safety Planning with Suicidal Clients

5/23/11

Peter M. Gutierrez PhD

2011 Southeastern Arizona Suicide Prevention Seminar - Promoting Hope: Building a Stronger Community for Armed Forces Members and Their Families

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence-Based Treatments, TBI, Suicide Prevention

PowerPoint | PDF 

Suicide Risk Assessment: A Medicolegal Perspective

5/5/11

Hal S. Wortzel, MD

Boulder Mental Health Center

Keywords: Assessment, Incarcerated Veterans, Suicide Prevention

PowerPoint | PDF 

Suicide Risk Assessment: Tips & Tools

5/5/11

Bridget B. Matarazzo PsyD

Boulder Mental Health Center, Boulder, CO

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention

PowerPoint | PDF 

Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicidality: Assessment & Prevention

5/5/11

Gina M. Signoracci PhD

Boulder Mental Health Center, Boulder, CO

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention

PowerPoint | PDF 

PTSD and Suicide Risk: Assessment and Intervention

12/15/10

Pamela J. Staves RN MS NP

Boulder Mental Health Center

Keywords: Assessment, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Suicide Prevention

PowerPoint | PDF 

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Recent Publications (since 2009)

Allen MH, Daniel DG, Revicki DA, Canuso CM, Turkoz I, Fu DJ, Alphs L, Ishak KJ, Bartko JJ, Lindemayer JP. (2011).Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Clinical Global Impression for Schizoaffective Disorder Scale. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2012;9(1):15–24

ABSTRACT: Objective: The Clinical Global Impression for Schizoaffective Disorder scale is a new rating scale adapted from the Clinical Global Impression scale for use in patients with schizoaffective disorder. The psychometric characteristics of the Clinical Global Impression for Schizoaffective Disorder are described. Design: Content validity was assessed using an investigator questionnaire. Inter-rater reliability was determined with 12 sets of videotaped interviews rated independently by two trained individuals. Test-retest reliability was assessed using 30 randomly selected raters from clinical trials who evaluated the same videos on separate occasions two weeks apart. Convergent and divergent validity and effect size were evaluated by comparing scores between the Clinical Global Impression for Schizoaffective Disorder and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and Young Mania Rating Scale scales using pooled patient data from two clinical trials. Clinical Global Impression for Schizoaffective Disorder scores were then linked to corresponding Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores. Results: Content validity was strong. Inter-rater agreement was good to excellent for most scales and subscales (intra-class correlation coefficient ³0.50). Test-retest showed good reproducibility, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.444 to 0.898. Spearman correlations between Clinical Global Impression for Schizoaffective Disorder domains and corresponding symptom scales were 0.60 or greater, and effect sizes for Clinical Global Impression for Schizoaffective Disorder overall and domain scores were similar to Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, and 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores. Raters anticipated that the scale might be less effective in distinguishing negative from depressive symptoms, and, in fact, the results here may reflect that clinical reality. Conclusion: Multiple lines of evidence support the reliability and validity of the Clinical Global Impression for Schizoaffective Disorder for studies in schizoaffective disorder.

Keywords: Assessment, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Homaifar, B. Y., Bahraini, N.H., Silverman, M.M., Brenner, L.A.. (2012). Executive Functioning as a Component of Suicide Risk Assessment: Clarifying its Role in Standard Clinical Applications. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 34(2), 110-120.

Clinically, because executive dysfunction (e.g., impulsivity, insight, thinking process) is often thought of in the context of those with traumatic brain injuries and other neurologic conditions, its formal assessment has historically been seen as the domain of those who assess and treat patients with neurologic disease. However, mental health counselors (MHCs) could benefit from learning how executive functioning relates to suicide risk assessment and coping strategies. Assessment of executive functions can be incorporated in routine clinical practice without the need for formal neuropsychological measures or other time-consuming procedures. In fact, during standard clinical assessment, mental health professionals often informally assess components of executive functioning such as impulsivity, insight, and thinking processes. This article highlights aspects of executive functioning with which MHCs may already be familiar and demonstrates their clinical utility in enhancing assessment and management of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors.

Keywords: Assessment, Suicide Prevention, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Osman, A., Bagge, C. L., Freedenthal, S., Gutierrez, P.M., & Emmerich, A. (2011). Development and evaluation of the social anxiety and depression life interference-24 (SADLI-24) inventory. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(1), 82-98.

We describe the development of a new self-report instrument, the Social Anxiety and Depression Life Interference-24 (SADLI-24) inventory. We initially retained 30 content specific items for the instrument (Study 1). In Study 2 (N = 438), we established a 2-factor solution, Social Anxiety Life Interference-12 (SALI-12) and Depression Life Interference-12 (DLI-12). We also examined estimates of known-groups and concurrent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis in Study 3 (N = 430) provided support for the oblique two-factor structure. In Study 4 (N = 179), we provided additional support for estimates of known-groups validity. In Study 5 (N = 63), we evaluated estimates of test-retest reliability. Both SADLI-24 scale scores showed good estimates of internal consistency.

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence Based Treatment, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Osman, A., Freedenthal, S., Fang, Q., Willis, J., Norizuki, T., & Gutierrez, P.M. (2011). The UTSA Future Disposition Inventory: Further analyses of reliability, validity, and potential correlates in non-clinical samples. In A. M. Columbus (Ed.) Advances in psychology research. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Abstract not available

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence Based Treatment, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Osman, A., Freedenthal, S., Gutierrez, P.M., Wong, J. L., Emmerich, A., & Lozano, G. (2011). The Anxiety Depression Distress Inventory-27 (ADDI-27): A short version of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire-90. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(6), 591-608.

The authors conducted three studies to construct and examine the psychometric properties of a 27-item version of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire-90 (MASQ-90; Watson & Clark, 1991a). The Anxiety Depression Distress Inventory-27 (ADDI-27) contains three empirically derived scales: Positive Affect, Somatic Anxiety, and General Distress, which are relevant dimensions of the tripartite model of affect. Each scale is composed of nine items, and the estimate of scale reliability for each scale score was ≥ .80 across the three studies. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided adequate support for a 3-factor model. Additional estimates of concurrent validity documented the ADDI-27 scales' convergent and discriminant validity. We also identified three construct relevant correlates for each scale score. Overall, the ADDI-27 appears to be a content valid, reliable, and multidimensional measure of the tripartite model of affect.

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence Based Treatment, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Osman, A., Gutierrez, P.M., Bagge, C. L., Fang, Q., & Emmerich, A. (2010). Reynolds adolescent depression scale-second edition: A reliable and useful instrument. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(12), 1324-1345.

The authors conducted two studies to address issues of the dimensionality, scale reliability, and psychometric properties of scores on the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-Second Edition (RADS-2; Reynolds, 2002) in samples of adolescent psychiatric inpatients. In Study 1 (N=262), they used bifactor analysis to further evaluate the general and specific components of the RADS-2. In Study 2 (N=196), they used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the fit of a 1-factor model, the original 4-factor model, a second-order model, and a bifactor model to a new sample data. In both studies, the total RADS-2 and content-specific subscale scores showed acceptable estimates of reliability (i.e., scale reliability estimates >.80). Estimates of concurrent validity were also examined. Scores of the RADS-2 total and content-specific subscale scores were useful in differentiating between the responses of youth with mood disorder diagnoses and those with other primary psychiatric disorder diagnoses. The authors also conducted correlation analyses to identify potential correlates for the total RADS-2 scale and the proposed subscale scores.

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence Based Treatment, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Osman, A., Gutierrez, P.M., Barrios, F., Wong, J. L., Freedenthal, S., & Lozano, G. (2010). Development and Initial Psychometric Properties of the UTSA Future Disposition Inventory. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(4), 1-20.

We describe the development and initial psychometric properties of a 24-item self-report measure, the University of Texas at San Antonio Future Disposition Inventory (UTSA FDI). This instrument is designed to evaluate future related thoughts and feelings that are associated with suicide-related risk behaviors: positive focus, suicide orientation, and negative focus. The items were generated by clinical and nonclinical samples. The structure of the instrument was defined in a sample of 350 university undergraduate students (Study 1). Using CFA, we confirmed the fit of the 3-factor solution in an independent sample of college age students (n=452; Study 2). Scale reliability estimates were good (all rho's>or=.80) in both studies. Known-groups validation analyses showed that scores on each scale were useful in differentiating the responses of the study groups. Correlates for the scales were identified when scores on measures of suicide-related risk and general psychological symptoms were included as validation self-report instruments.

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence Based Treatment, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Osman, A., Gutierrez, P.M., Schweers, R., Fang, Q., Holguin-Mills, R. L., & Cashin, M. (2010). Psychometric Evaluation of the Body Investment Scale for Use with Adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(3), 259-276.

We conducted two studies to examine the psychometric properties of the Body Investment Scale (BIS; Orbach & Mikulincer, 1998) in U.S. adolescent samples. The BIS was designed to assess bodily experiences that are associated with suicide-related behaviors. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with data from a combined sample of 204 high school adolescents (83 boys, 121 girls) and 197 psychiatric inpatient (101 boys, 96 girls) adolescents provided moderate support for the oblique four-factor solution: Body Feelings (rho=.86, 95% CI=.83-.89), Body Touch (rho=.71, 95% CI=.65-.76), Body Care (rho=.78, 95% CI=.71-.81), and Body Protection (rho=.78, 95% CI=.73-.82); robust comparative fit index=.88 and the robust Tucker Lewis Index=.83. The second-order factor model also provided moderate fit to the data. In Study 2, results of the CFA with data from adolescent psychiatric inpatients (N=205; 101 boys, 104 girls) provided additional support for the four-factor solution. In addition, results of the receiver operating characteristic and logistic regression analyses showed that scores on the Body Feelings and Body Protection scales were most useful in differentiating the responses of suicidal and nonsuicidal adolescents, all Cohen's d values >.30. The study also examined associations between scores on the BIS scales and the validation self-report measures of hopelessness, suicide-related behavior, and reasons for living.

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence Based Treatment, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Osman, A., Gutierrez, P.M., Smith, K., Fang, Q., Lozano, G., & Devine, A. (2010). The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3: Analyses of Dimensions, Reliability Estimates, and Correlates in Nonclinical Samples. Journal of Personality Assessment, 92(1), 45-52.

We investigated the factor structure, reliability estimates, and correlates of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3; Taylor et al., 2007) in 2 studies. We established a bifactor model in Study 1 as an alternative representation of the structure of the ASI-3. Analyses of gender differences on the total ASI-3 and subscale scores were not statistically significant (Study 1, N = 462). In Study 2 (N = 293), results of a series of confirmatory factor analyses provided stronger support for the fit of the bifactor model compared with 2 alternative models. Estimates of scale reliability were adequate (all rho values > or = .80) and not "p" (as in italic p for significance). in the 2 studies. In addition, using simultaneous regression analyses, we found anxiety-specific correlates for the total ASI-3 and subscale scores to include responses on self-report measures of interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive-compulsive anxiety, paranoid ideation, and phobic anxiety.

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence Based Treatment, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Osman, A., Gutierrez, P.M., Wong, J. L., Freedenthal, S., Bagge, C. L., & Smith, K. D. (2010). Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Suicide Anger Expression Inventory--28. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavior Assessment, 32, 595-608.

Abstract not available

Keywords: Assessment, Evidence Based Treatment, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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