Beck Anxiety Inventory (A guide)
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In this article, we will discuss the characteristics and specifications of the Beck Anxiety Inventory.
Beck Anxiety Inventory: an overview
The Beck Anxiety Inventory or (BAI), is a self-report test that contains 21 multiple-choice questions (Likert scale from 0 to 3 in terms of how severe you perceive the symptom) and it is used to measure anxiety symptoms (severity and level) that an individual has had for the past week, including the day of the test.
The BAI was developed by Aaron T. Beck and Robert A. Steer in 1988 and a revised version was published in 1993.
This inventory evaluates both psychological and cognitive symptoms of anxiety and you can get a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 63.
Who can take it? Well, it has been designed for people who are 17 through 80 years, and it takes approximately 5 to 10 mins to complete.
Many researchers agree that this is a really useful and accurate test to measure anxiety.
The established standardized cutoffs (for the revised version in 1993):
:
- Minimal anxiety: 0 to 7 points.
- Mild anxiety: 8 to 15 points.
- Moderate anxiety: 16 to 25 points.
- Severe anxiety: 30 to 63 points.
Reliability Information:
Average reliability coefficient: .92
Test-retest reliability: .75
It is important to know that this test is really useful when the assessment (screening) of anxiety and its symptoms is required.
However, it won’t tell you which anxiety disorder you may have, this needs to be confirmed by a licensed mental health professional.
Can I find it in other languages?
You can actually find the Beck Anxiety Inventory has been validated in a number of languages including German, Spanish, Chinese, French, Persian, Icelandic, among others.
Where can I find it?
How to get it, costs and more, click here!:
Pearson: Beck Anxiety Inventory
Here, you can also find a PDF printable sample version courtesy of Blue Mountain Associates (bluemtassociates.com):
Beck Anxiety Inventory PDF
Why is this blog about the Beck Anxiety Inventory useful?
This blog post is important because it provides necessary and useful information about the BAI as the anxiety screening tool that it is, how to administer, who can take it, what it measures and even a sample so you can actually get to know the questionnaire!
Please feel free to comment on the content or ask any questions in the comments section below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about the Beck Anxiety Inventory
What is the Beck Anxiety Inventory used for?
The Beck Anxiety Inventory is used to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms in children and adults.
It is a self-report inventory that contains 21 multiple choices (Likert scale) questions.
What is the Burns Anxiety Inventory?
The Burns Anxiety Inventory is a 33 item questionnaire that measures anxious feelings (worry, fear), anxious thoughts (isolated and alone) and physical symptoms (chest pain, difficulty breathing).
When was the Beck Anxiety Inventory published?
The Beck Anxiety Inventory was first published in 1988 and a revised manual was published in 1993 (included some changes in the scoring)
How do you score BAI?
The sum of the score obtained in the 21 items gets scored as follows: from 0 to 7 is considered as Minimal anxiety, from 8 to 15 is considered Mild anxiety, from 16 to 25 is Moderate anxiety and 26 to 63 is considered as Severe anxiety.
What does the Beck Depression Inventory measure?
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) measures the intensity and severity of depression symptoms.
The long-form consists of 21 questions, each assesses a specific depression symptom.
Recommended reading
- Is the beck anxiety inventory a good tool to assess the severity of anxiety? A primary care study in The Netherlands study of depression and anxiety (NESDA)
- Learn more about the Beck Anxiety Inventory
- BDI, Beck depression inventory: Manual
- Cognitive Therapy of Anxiety Disorders: Science and Practice
- Clinical Utility of Beck Anxiety Inventory in Clinical and Nonclinical Korean Samples
References
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