Measurement-based care: Use of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) in a veteran population.

Abstract

The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is widely used within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), both as an assessment tool and as a part of measurement-based care practices. However, there is preliminary evidence that the BAI may perform uniquely in veteran samples, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation of the BAI in this population. The present study compared the normative data reported by Beck and Steer (1993) to secondary data generated by a nationwide sample of U.S. military veterans receiving treatment through the VHA. Secondary data, including initial BAI scores, demographic characteristics, treatment location, and diagnoses originally recorded during the course of usual VHA care over a 5-year period for 57,088 individual veterans, were extracted through the VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure. BAI scores were compared across samples and various veteran subgroups. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were also conducted. Results revealed that the BAI performed similarly across veteran and normative samples. Male and older veterans were found to have lower BAI scores than their respective counterparts. Factor analyses indicated that a three-factor model best fit the veteran data. Additionally, a cut score of 18 best differentiated between veterans with and without anxiety and related disorders. This study helps support the use of the BAI as a reliable and valid instrument for assessing anxiety symptoms in veterans. Additional research is recommended to better guide BAI interpretation across age groups and sexes/genders.

Measurement-based care and psychological assessment: Using measurement to enhance psychological treatment.

“…The authors recommend against using standard cut scores in a veteran population and instead suggest using a cut score of 27, as this best differentiated between veterans with mood disorders from those without mood disorders in this larger veteran population. Oehlert et al (2020) likewise conducted a large-scale study of over 55,000 veterans who had taken the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Unlike the study of the BDI-II, veterans and nonveterans did not show significant differences in scores on the BAI.…”

“…Oehlert et al (2020) likewise conducted a large-scale study of over 55,000 veterans who had taken the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Unlike the study of the BDI-II, veterans and nonveterans did not show significant differences in scores on the BAI.…”

Physical Exercise Ameliorates Anxiety, Depression and Sleep Quality in College Students: Experimental Evidence from Exercise Intensity and Frequency

“…The scale consisted of 21 items, and the scores of each item were nothing (0p), slightly (1p), moderately (2p) and severely (3p). Total scores: nothing/mild (0-15), moderately (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) and severely . Studies had shown that BAI had high reliability and validity and can be well applied to anxiety measurement in anxious individuals and normal individuals [19,20].…”

“…Total scores: nothing/mild (0-15), moderately (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) and severely . Studies had shown that BAI had high reliability and validity and can be well applied to anxiety measurement in anxious individuals and normal individuals [19,20].…”

Anxiety Screening in Polytrauma Patients by Use of Single-Item Reporting With the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory: How Brief Is Too Brief?

“…This measure was initially developed in order to assist clinicians with assessing anxiety in psychiatric populations (Beck et al, 1988). However, it has been found useful in a variety of settings including use with veterans (Oehlert et al, 2019; Palmer et al, 2017) and in polytrauma settings (Palmer, Happe, Paxson, Jurek, Graca, et al, 2016; Palmer, Happe, Paxson, Jurek, & Olson, 2016). Research has indicated scores in the moderate range (i.e., scores of 16 or higher) may identify clinically meaningful symptoms of anxiety (Bardhoshi et al, 2016); and Oehlert et al (2019) has suggested in preliminary research that a cutoff score of 18 for veterans may be appropriate to identify clinically meaningful symptoms of anxiety in this population.…”