IPAT ANXIETY SCALE
Introduction
Our era has been called the “age of anxiety,” and anxicty manifestations are certainly
widespread. In clinical practice or research, whether the diagnosis is for therapeutic purposes,
for detecting psychological origins of physical disorders, or for analyzing stress’ reactions to.
internal disturbances, it is increasingly necessary to have standard and dependable measures
of anxiety. There are also many situations in educational and social psychology where
accurate assessment of anxiety level is of prime importance.
Anxiety is a normal response to stressful situations, such as public speaking or taking a test.
However, it becomes indicative of an underlying disorder when feelings of anxiety become
excessive, pervasive, and interfere with daily functioning. While experiencing anxiety in
response to daily stresses and problems is common, persistent, excessive, and irrational
emotions that impair a person’s ability to function indicate the presence of an anxiety
disorder. These disorders encompass various types, including phobias, panic
and stress disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The IPAT Anxiety Scale, also known
as “Self-Analysis Forms” and developed by the Institute for Personality & Ability Testing
(IPAT) in 1976, falls under the Personality-Non projective test category. It is a concise, valid,
and non-stressful questionnaire scale designed to measure anxiety levels in adults and young
adults. The questionnaire format allows for self-administration, taking approximately
five-to-ten minutes to complete. The IPAT Anxiety Scale provides an accurate assessment of
free anxiety levels, supplementing clinical diagnosis, and facilitating research or mass
screening initiatives where limited diagnostic or assessment time is available for each
examinee. It is intended for individuals aged 14 and above.
The development of the I. P. A. T. Anxiety Scale, or “Self Analysis Form,” can be attributed
to Raymond B. Cattell in 1957. This scale draws upon Cattell’s extensive studies on the
factorial structure of personality. Comprising 40 items, the questionnaire represents the five
scales that are most heavily associated with the anxiety factor. The Anxiety Scale is primarily
grounded in the construct validity derived from factor analyses. The scale differentiates
between two subsets of items: the first 20 items measure Covert Anxiety, while the remaining
20 items assess Overt Anxiety. Further divisions were made based on the degree of item
obfuscation, distinguishing between those that appeared more cryptic (Covert) and those that
manifestly (Overt) referred to anxiety and Anxiety Symptoms.
Problem: To determine the level of anxiety symptoms in a subject.
Plan: To administer the IPAT Anxiety Scale questionnaire and to measure the level of anxiety
symptoms in a subject referring to the norms.
Materials Required: IPAT Anxiety Scale Self-Analysis form , IPAT Anxiety Scale Manual,
Writing Materials
Procedure: The subject is seated comfortably. The examiner explains the purpose of the test.
The subject is asked to read the questionnaire that contains 40 items and then choose one
response from three options that best describes the way the subject has been feeling. The
instructions are given to the subject that there is no time limit. After the subject completes the
test, the responses are scored.
Instructions: “This booklet contains 40 statements regarding common feelings and thoughts
experienced by individuals at various times. There are no right or wrong answers. Simply
select the response option (a, b, or c) that best reflects your personal truth and mark it
accordingly. However, only select the middle box if you are genuinely unable to definitively
choose between “Yes” or “No.” Reserve the middle box for exceptional circumstances”.
Scoring: Lay the scoring Key directly over the booklet, following the simple instructions
printed on the Key itself. The scorer simply adds 2’s or 1’s for each answer, according to the
numbers printed above the hole through which the answer appears. Convert the raw score
into sten score, percentile and interpretation according to norms.
Analysis of Result:
Table 1 shows level of anxiety symptoms of the subject.
Name Raw Score Sten Score Percentile Interpretation
Discussion: Aim, Subject details, table details, score and interpretation.
Conclusion: The subject has ---- level of anxiety symptoms.
