Module 7 Intro to Assessment, Specific Tests, and Risk Assessment

Psychological Assessment

Aims to evaluate an individual in a problem situation by integrating data to aid in problem solving and decision making

Psychological Tests

measure samples of traits, attributes, or behaviours

Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)

measures depression, anxiety, stress as normal, mild, moderate, severe, or extremely severe

most common DASS scale

DASS-21

DASS-10

measures anxiety-stress, depression, and overall stress as mild/subclinical, moderate, or severe

Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS)

Assesses generalised anxiety, panic/agoraphobia, social phobia, separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, physical injury fears

Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)

Measures positive and negative affect, somatic symptoms, and interpersonal problems

Cognitive tests

look at performance validity (eg intelligence, language, memory)

non-cognitive tests

look at symptom validity (eg emotion, behaviour, and personality)

risk assessment protocols

systematic processes for identifying, analysing, and mitigating risk, including suicide

example risk assessment protocols

AISRAP, STAR, NSW detartment of health

goals of risk assessment

assess risk, mood, suicidal ideation, suicide plans, history of suiciude, protective factors

parasuicide

apparent attempted suicide or suicidal behaviour without the actual intent to end ones life