Psychological Assessment: Psychological Test Review/Critique

Running Head : Review of Anxiety Scales for Children and Adults

Review of Anxiety Scales for Children and Adults by James Battle

[Student Name]

[College Name]

[Professor Name]

[Class]

Abstract

Psychology testing is very abstract form of testing . It needs to be based on good research and solid evidence in to be considered effective . This review goes in depth to examine the use of this test and how valid it is at proving the existence and level of anxiety in children and adults . There are many items and aspects of

the test reviewed herein , including , the normative sample group , the construction of the test and the overall effectiveness of the test to come to a plausible conclusion and diagnosis . This review should serve as a good guide in how to best use this test and what aspects may need to be revised in to provide a more efficient and useful test

Test Name

Anxiety Scales for Children and Adults

Author

Battle , James

Publication Date

1993

Publisher Information

PRO-ED , Inc , 8700 Shoal Creek Blvd , Austin , TX 78758-6897

Prices as of 1994 84 per complete kit including examiner 's manual , 50 Forms Q , 50 Forms M , scoring acetate , and administration audiocassette 31 per examiner 's manual 19 per 50 Forms Q or 50 Forms M 6 per scoring acetate 14 per administration audiocassette

Online Availability : This test is only available in written form or a tape recorded form

The test , `Anxiety Scales for Children and Adults , is intended to show if a person has anxiety and , if so , at what level they have anxiety . It seeks to show the presence and level of anxiety through a series of questions that relate to symptoms of anxiety . The test is only arranged based upon age with one group for grade nine and under and the second group being grade 10 and above . There is a different test form for each group . However , the test does not separate out by gender or using any other factors except the two age groups . The test could be described as being both unidimensional and multidimensional . This is based upon the fact that the only differential is the basic age group

No factor analyses , internal consistency coefficients , or empirical-criterion keying (item scores for anxious versus non-anxious persons or treatment effects studies ) are reported . No controls for faking are indicated . Although developmental differences between elementary (second through sixth grades ) and junior high (seventh through ninth grades ) students were reported , no other age changes are indicated . Particularly important would be an examination of high school students versus adults and age changes through each elementary grade . A face /content examination indicates the majority of items relate to generalized anxiety and physiological symptoms , with some attention to setting and stimulus triggers . up . (Oehler-Stinnett ,2007

There are no distinguishing points made for gender , race or even specific age , as mentioned in this quote from the Oehler-Stinnett review of the test . As far as theoretical and empirical foundations , this test is very limited...