Rating Scales in Mental Health [Paperback]

Martha Sajatovic (Author), Luis Ramirez (Author), Luis F. Ramirez (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1930598327 | ISBN-13: 978-1930598324 | Publication Date: January 15, 2001 | Edition: 1st

Includes general information on the concept of rating scales in mental health and also provides a variety of examples. This text can be used as a tool to compare the scales within a particualr domain.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Rating Scales in Mental Health is ideal for clinicians as well as administrators and provides information on the use of rating scales in mental health assessment.

General Concepts section provides text information on the use of rating scales, statistical evaluation, and rating scale domains.

The Rating Scales section provides information on over 80 scales grouped in 16 categories including: diagnostic, anxiety, depression, mania assessment, psychosis, functional level, general health assessment, insight assessment, involuntary movement assessment, patient satisfaction, quality of life, substance abuse, suicide risk assessment, impulsivity/aggression, geriatric, and pediatric rating scales. Information on the scales is presented in monograph format and provide: overview of scale, general applications, psychometric properties, references, copyright, scale generally done by, time to complete scale, representative study utilizing scale, and a sample of the scale (if available).

The appendix contains tables and charts in a quick reference format providing rapid identification of categories and characteristics of rating scales.

Product Details

• Paperback: 397 pages
• Publisher: Lexi Comp; 1st edition (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930598327
• ISBN-13: 978-1930598324
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,551,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very readable!, February 27, 2001

By 

S. M Marson (Lumberton, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rating Scales in Mental Health (Paperback)

In an era of accountability in mental health care, Sajatovic and Ramirez offer a collection of 80 psychometric instruments designed to be used by mental health researchers and practitioners. Their monograph is divided into two sections. The first discusses rating scales in general while the second section presents notable instruments used in mental health. Some of the instruments are commonly used, some are not. The uncommonly used instruments are more interesting.

Monograph similar to Sajatovic and Ramirez are numerous. They include:

Aman, M. G. (1991). Assessing Psychopathological and Behavioral Problems in Persons with Mental Retardation: A review of Available Instruments. National Institute of Mental Health.

Bearden. W, Netemeyer, R.G. & Mobley, M.F. (1993). Handbook of Marketing Scales. Sage.

Corcoran, K & Fischer, J. (2000). Measures for Clinical Practice: Volume 1 Couples, Families and Children, and Volume 2 Adults, NY: Free Press.

Davis, C.M. et al (1988) Sexuality-Related Measures Graphic Publishing.

Fredman & Sherman. (1987). Handbook for Measurement for Marriage and Family Therapy, Brunner/Mazel.

Holman, A. M. (1983). Family Assessment: Tools for Understanding and Intervention. Sage.

L'Abate & Bagarozzi. (1993). Sourcebook of Marriage and Family Evaluation, Brunner Mazel.

McDowell, I. & Newell, C. (1996). Measuring Health: A Guide to Rating Scales and Questionnaires. New York: Oxford University Press.

Miller, D. (1991). Handbook of Research Design and Social Measurement, [5th ed] Sage.

Nezu, A. M., Ronan, G.F., Meadows, E.A. & McClure, K.S. (2000). Practitioner's Guide to Empirically Based Measures of Depression. NY: Kluwer Acdemic/Plenum Publishers.

Robinson, Shaver & Wrightsman. (1991). Measures of Personality and Social Psychological Attitudes. Volume I Academic Press.

Shaw & Wright. (1967). Scales for the Measurement of Attitudes, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Spreen & Strauss. (1991). A Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests, Oxford University Press.

Touliatos & Perlmutter (1990). Handbook of Family Measurement Techniques, Sage.

Without a doubt, Sajatovic and Ramirez's work is much more readable than any of the works found in the above list. Thus, their work would be a great benefit to undergraduates who are just beginning to learn about instrumentation. In a somewhat unrelated issue, I have discovered that pages 178 through 186 are particularly helpful in explaining Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and the functions of ordinal measures. Those pages are a strong benefit to undergraduate students.

The major weakness of Sajatovic and Ramirez's work is related to their greatest strength. Within the discussion of most of their instruments, they do not offer adequate information regarding reliability and validity. Issues of reliability and validity are necessary but complex for the beginning reader. They do offer the citations for this information. However, it would have been so much more helpful if they provided the necessary details in their book.

All in all, Sajatovic and Ramirez make a significant contribution.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Book is overview of scales, but does not show complete instruments, August 3, 2005

By 

D Einhorn author of Civil War Blacksmithing "... (PA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rating Scales in Mental Health (Paperback)

The book is good as a review of what scales are available, but may not contain more than a brief example of the questions on the actual instrument. Do not expect to see a complete set of questions for a scale under examination.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rating Scale Reference, September 6, 2007

By 

Nicholas Greco IV "ProfPsych" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rating Scales in Mental Health (Paperback)

This is a solid reference manual for rating scales,; however, it is in need of revision. A number of copyright holder references for the scales are incorrect or outdated. It is a good starting point, but should not be the only reference relied upon. Hopefully, the third edition will come out soon.