Beck Anxiety Inventory

Background

• developed by Aaron T. Beck and Robert A. Steer in 1988

• published a revised manual in 1993 after some changes in terms of scoring were made

• the test was also translated in Spanish

Purpose

• to assess a person’s anxiety level based on rating of symptoms given in 21 item assessment

• designed for adult population, or 17 years old and above

• also assesses a broad range of emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms but not depression

Validity

• the BAI was moderately correlated with the revised Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (0.51)

• mildly correlated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (0.25)

What is BAI?

• 21-item multiple choice self-report inventory that measures the severity of anxiety in adults and adolescents during the past week

• uses a Likert scale that ranges from 0 to 3

• requires only basic reading skills

• each item presents a simple description that corresponds to an anxiety symptom which can be

  • subjective (unable to relax)

  • neurophysiologic (numbness)

  • autonomic (feeling hot)

  • panic-related (losing control)

• Psychometric Properties

  • psychometrically sound

  • high internal consistency score (Cronbach’s alpha) = 0.92-0.94

  • acceptable test-retest reliability score = 0.75

Test Administration

• the test takes about 5 to 10 minutes to answer

• utilizes self-administration -- answered using a pre-printed copy of the test and pen

• administered by a trained professional -- orally for sight impaired individuals

Scoring and Interpretation

• manual scoring of Q-Global scoring (Pearson’s web-based platform for test administration)

• items scored on 4-point scale ranging from 0-3:

  • “not at all” = 0 point

  • “mildly; it did not bother me much” = 1 point

  • “moderately; it was unpleasant, but I could stand it” = 2 points

  • “severely; I could barely stand it” = 3 points

• Report interpretation of scores

  • clinician examine specific items to determine whether the symptom is subjective, neurophysiologic, autonomic, panic-related

  • can be further assessed during DSM criteria to identify specific diagnostic category and plan interventions

• Total score = sum of ratings of 21 items

• Maximum total score = 63

  • 0-21 = low anxiety

  • 22-35 = moderate anxiety

  • 36 = severe anxiety

Clinical and Research Uses

• can be used

  • to assess and establish baseline anxiety level

  • as a diagnostic aid to detect the effectiveness of treatment as it progress

  • as a post-treatment outcome measure

• fast and easy administration, repeatability, discrimination between symptoms of anxiety and depression

• ability to highlight the connection between mind and body for those seeking help to reduce their anxiety

• proven validity across languages, cultures, and age ranges

• has been adapted specifically for youth -- BAI-Y; useful for preventing threats to physical and psychological safety of the youth