Assessment of Anxiety Disorders: Categorical and Dimensional Perspectives

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of evidence-based instruments for the assessment of pediatric anxiety disorders from both categorical and dimensional perspectives. The chapter begins with a brief discussion of a categorical perspective to pediatric anxiety assessment and how interview schedules best capture this perspective. This is followed by a summary of the most widely used interview schedules to assess pediatric anxiety, including the evidence base for accomplishing specific assessment goals (i.e., diagnosis and treatment evaluation). The chapter follows with a brief discussion on a dimensional perspective and how rating scales best capture this perspective. This is followed by a summary of the most widely used rating scales for assessing pediatric anxiety, including research support for their use across contexts (i.e., identifying and quantifying anxiety, screening, and treatment evaluation). Next is a brief summary of objective measures of pediatric anxiety. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future research directions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)