The Work and Social Adjustment Scale: a simple measure of impairment in functioning.
BACKGROUND
Patients' perspectives concerning impaired functioning provide important information. AIMS; To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS).


METHODS
Data from two studies were analysed. Reliability analyses included internal scale consistency, test-retest and parallel forms. Convergent and criterion validities were examined with respect to disorder severity.


RESULTS
Cronbach's alpha measure of internal scale consistency ranged from 0.70 to 0.94. Test-retest correlation was 0.73. Interactive voice response administrations of the WSAS gave correlations of 0.81 and 0.86 with clinician interviews. Correlations of WSAS with severity of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms were 0.76 and 0.61, respectively. The scores were sensitive to patient differences in disorder severity and treatment-related change.


CONCLUSIONS
The WSAS is a simple, reliable and valid measure of impaired functioning. It is a sensitive and useful outcome measure offering the potential for readily interpretable comparisons across studies and disorders.
Mundt
James C
JC
Healthcare Technology Systems Inc., 7617 Mineral Point Road, Suite 300, Madison, WI 53717, USA.
Marks
Isaac M
IM
Shear
M Katherine
MK
Greist
John H
JH
D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome