Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)
What is it?
The PSWQ (Penn State Worry Questionnaire) is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess excessive and uncontrollable worry, which is a core feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The PSWQ helps to identify how often someone worries, how intense their worries are, and whether they struggle to control them. It’s widely used to measure chronic worry in both clinical and non-clinical populations.
This tool is particularly helpful for therapists and counselors in understanding the extent of a person’s worry, providing valuable insights that can guide treatment decisions.
How is it used?
The PSWQ is suitable for adults and usually takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. The questionnaire asks individuals to reflect on their worrying habits over a typical week, making it useful for capturing patterns of worry that might interfere with daily life.
It is commonly used in therapy, counseling, and psychological assessments to identify individuals who might be struggling with anxiety-related conditions. The PSWQ can also be used to track changes over time, especially when monitoring progress in therapy or other interventions for anxiety.
What do the scores mean?
The PSWQ consists of 16 questions, each rated on a scale from 1 (not at all typical of me) to 5 (very typical of me). The questions focus on how often a person worries, how difficult it is to control their worry, and whether their worrying feels excessive or uncontrollable.
The total score ranges from 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating more severe and uncontrollable worry. The PSWQ is designed to capture general worry tendencies, not just specific situational worries. Here’s how to interpret the total score:
- 16 to 39: Low levels of worry. The person is likely able to manage their worries effectively, with minimal interference in daily life.
- 40 to 59: Moderate levels of worry. The individual may experience frequent worries, which might cause some distress but are generally manageable. Therapeutic support or anxiety management strategies may be beneficial.
- 60 to 80: High levels of worry. This suggests that the person may be experiencing significant, uncontrollable worry that interferes with daily functioning. Further assessment and therapeutic intervention are recommended.
The PSWQ focuses on generalized, excessive worry rather than situational anxiety, making it an effective tool for screening for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or related conditions.
What does the research say?
The PSWQ is a well-researched and widely used tool with strong reliability (consistent results) and validity (accurately measuring excessive worry). It has been extensively validated in both clinical and non-clinical populations, making it a trusted measure for identifying chronic worry.
One of the key strengths of the PSWQ is its ability to capture the intensity and uncontrollability of worry, which are crucial aspects of anxiety disorders like GAD. This makes it a valuable tool for both clinicians and researchers who are focused on understanding and treating anxiety.
Note: The PSWQ is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. High scores suggest that it may be helpful to consult with a mental health professional for a comprehensive evaluation and possible treatment for anxiety.
Developer:
Meyer et al. (1990). Development and validation of the penn state worry questionnaire, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 28 (6), 487-495