Clinical Utility of the CCAPS, CAS, and OQ-45

Abstract

This article reports on a study evaluating the clinical utility of three clinical assessment measures commonly used in university counseling centers: the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45), the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms, and the College Adjustment Scales. Results found subscales assessing depression and anxiety were highly correlated between measures; however, subscales assessing academic and family difficulties correlated only slightly. Clinicians ranked the OQ-45 significantly lower than the other measures in matching clinicians' diagnostic impressions. No other significant differences were found, however, in terms of adding to clinicians' diagnostic impressions or matching clinicians' assessment of client change. At the end, this article summarizes clinician comments regarding strengths and weaknesses of the three measures and offers practice recommendations.

Development of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms‐Japanese version: Pilot study

“…Several studies have reported the utility of the CCAPS‐62 for university students in the United States (McAleavey et al, ; Nordberg, Castonguay, McAleavey, Locke, & Hayes, ). According to MacFarlane, Henry, Nash, Kissel, and Bush's () empirical study, the CCAPS‐62 was more informative when forming initial diagnostic impressions than the Outcome Questionnaire‐45 (Lambert et al, ) and College Adjustment Scale (Anton & Reed, ).…”

The Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 (CCAPS-62) and College Academic Outcomes

“…Examining the predictive validity of the Academic Distress subscale for relevant academic outcomes will provide a basis for its meaningful, accurate, and reliable interpretation. MacFarlane et al's (2015) comparison of three symptom inventories at a college counseling center generated uncertainty about the predictive validity of the Academic Distress subscale. They found that the Academic Distress subscale had only a small (.21) correlation with the Academic Problems subscale of the College Adjustment Scales (CAS), and a much stronger (.71) correlation with the Family Problems subscale of the CAS.…”

Utility of the Outcome Questionnaire‐45.2 in outpatient anxiety clinics: A comparison between anxiety patients with and without co‐occurring depression

“…In a university counseling center, MacFarlane et al. () assessed correspondence between clinicians’ diagnostic impressions and results obtained from assessment measures and found that clinicians ranked the OQ‐45 the lowest in terms of correspondence with their diagnostic impressions than all other measures assessed.…”

“…Third, the OQ may be invalid in some diagnostic groups and treatment settings. Previous authors have expressed concerns that the OQ did not accurately measure distress in their patient populations, including somatoform disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders (Conijn, Emons, De Jong, & Sijtsma, 2015;MacFarlane, Henry, Nash, Kissel, & Bush, 2015). In an inpatient setting, Doerfler, Addis, and Moran (2002) found that those diagnosed with major depressive disorder scored higher on the SD subscale of the OQ-45 than those with schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses (e.g., bipolar disorder).…”

“…In an inpatient setting, Doerfler, Addis, and Moran (2002) found that those diagnosed with major depressive disorder scored higher on the SD subscale of the OQ-45 than those with schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses (e.g., bipolar disorder). In a university counseling center, MacFarlane et al (2015) assessed correspondence between clinicians' diagnostic impressions and results obtained from assessment measures and found that clinicians ranked the OQ-45 the lowest in terms of correspondence with their diagnostic impressions than all other measures assessed.…”