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Frequency vs. intensity: which should be used as anchors for self-report instruments?
Julia Krabbe1, Thomas Forkmann
1Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen, Germany. julia.krabbe@rwth-aachen.de
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
|September 7, 2012
Summary
Frequency terms are more stable over time than intensity terms for patients with depressive episodes. Both can be used as verbal anchors in self-report scales, but limit to four anchors for clarity.
Area of Science:
- Psychological assessment
- Clinical psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Investigating the utility of verbal rating scale anchors in patients experiencing depressive episodes.
- Examining differences between frequency and intensity scales for self-report measures.
- Evaluating interindividual congruency, intraindividual stability, and term distinguishability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the usability of verbal rating scale anchors in patients with a depressive episode.
- To determine if differences exist between frequency and intensity scales.
- To evaluate the congruency, stability, and distinguishability of scale anchors.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study with 44 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder.
- Patients completed questionnaires including frequency and intensity terms at two time points within a week.
- Data analyzed using paired samples t-tests and Cohen's d effect sizes.
Main Results:
- Intensity terms exhibited lower intraindividual stability over time compared to frequency terms.
- Participants could reliably distinguish four frequency and intensity terms at both measurement times.
- Greater patient congruency was observed for intensity terms versus frequency terms.
Conclusions:
- Both frequency and intensity terms are viable as verbal anchors for clinical self-report scales.
- Frequency terms are recommended for longitudinal assessments due to superior temporal stability.
- Using no more than four verbal anchors is advised to ensure patient differentiation, especially for older adults or those with limited lexical experience.
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