Assessing the Reliability of the Beck Anxiety Inventory Scores

Abstract

Anxiety is one of the most pervasive symptoms seen in clinical psychological disorders. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a popular measure to assess the construct of anxiety. This study was concerned with an examination of potential study factors that are associated with the variability of the reliability estimates of the BAI scores. A review of the literature involving the BAI showed that more than 57% of the publications either did not mention reliability estimates for BAI scores or presented secondary reliability estimates. This meta-analysis of coefficient alpha and test-retest reliability estimates showed that diagnostic classification of participants and the within-study BAI score variability were related to the magnitude of the reliability estimates.

Depression and Anxiety Following Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Test-retest coefficients have been collected for the several psychometric instruments. [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90] …”

Examining relationships between anxiety and dangerous driving

“…A review of the BAI's use in the literature showed alpha coefficients are generally reported at .83 or better. While test-retest coefficients are reported from .35 to .83, this variability is likely due to the wide range of time intervals used (between 1 and 16 weeks) in these studies, where the BAI is only designed to measure symptoms experienced in past week (de Ayala et al, 2005). Symptoms are rated on a four-point Likert scale (0 = Not At All, 1 = Mildly, 2 = Moderately, and 3 = Severely) and scores are derived from adding the values of all responses.…”

Lifetime family violence exposure is associated with current symptoms of eating disorders among both young men and women

“…Affective symptoms were assessed during a shorter time frame than symptoms of eating disorders. However, the depression and anxiety measures used in the present study exhibit moderate temporal stability among youth (de Ayala, Vonderharr-Carlson, & Kim, 2005;Roberts, Andrews, Lewinsohn, & Hops, 1990). Although the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale has not previously been validated in samples of men, the internal consistency of the measure and pattern of association with other variables was similar across gender.…”