Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Cognitive Therapy Awareness Scale: a scale to measure competencies in cognitive therapy.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to test reliability and validity of the Japanese-version Cognitive Therapy Awareness Scale, a self-rating scale that measures basic knowledge of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) concepts and methodology. Furthermore, we explored optimal cutoff score to demonstrate required standard of CBT competency.


METHODS
The reliability and validity of the scale was tested among 252 mental health professionals. The participants' number of readings relevant to CBT, as well as their experience in training and practice in CBT were used as external standards of competency.


RESULTS
The scale has good internal consistency (the Kuder-Richardson formula 20=0.76). The total score of the scale was significantly correlated with experience in training and practice in cognitive behavioral therapy, and the number of relevant readings (Spearman's rho =0.27, 0.28 and 0.44, respectively, P<0.001). No significant correlation was found between the total score of the scale and experience in general psychosocial care (Spearman's rho = -0.02, P=0.76). The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis produced the area under curve (AUC) of 0.77 (SD=0.05, P<0.001), and a cutoff score of 31/32 produced sensitivity of 0.81 and specificity of 0.64 to discriminate trainees who have experience of 40 h or more of CBT training and five or more of relevant readings, from those who do not meet this standard.


CONCLUSIONS
The Japanese-version Cognitive Therapy Awareness Scale was successfully validated. It has been demonstrated that the scale specifically assess knowledge in cognitive behavioral therapy. This scale would serve as a rough guide to assess competencies among beginner cognitive behavior therapists.
Psycho-Oncology Division, National Cancer Center East, Chiba, Japan. dfujisaw@east.ncc.go.jp
Daisuke
D
Fujisawa
Atsuo
A
Nakagawa
Toshiaki
T
Kikuchi
Mitsuhiro
M
Sado
Miyuki
M
Tajima
Motomi
M
Hanaoka
Jesse H
JH
Wright
Yutaka
Y
Ono
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000592:standards; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult