Construct Validity of Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) Scores in Clinical Samples: Extension of Harris, Murphy, and Rakes’ (2019) Narrative Review

ABSTRACT

Purpose

A recent review of 24 studies primarily evaluated psychometric properties of the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) related to coefficient alpha and convergent validity.

Method

To provide a fuller picture, this review examined effect size (ES) estimates and the full range of correlations between ORS scores and related measures.

Results

Mean ORS ESs equaled 1.00 for 44 comparison periods. ORS scores correlated highest with measures of depression and evidenced larger ESs in depression treatments.

Discussion

The ORS functions as a robust measure for detecting client progress in clinical samples that were primarily young, female, and Caucasian. Some results suggest ORS scores primarily reflect a rapid response to interventions.

Conclusion and limitations

Future research should assess ORS scores’ psychometric properties in response to interventions with more heterogeneous client samples as well as its capacity to monitor change beyond initial sessions.

KEYWORDS:

• Outcome Rating Scale
• progress monitoring
• construct validity
• change-sensitive tests

Disclosure statement

The author is the creator of the DANA, another PM measure, described in this report. No other potential conflicts of interest exist with respect to the research, authorship, or publication of this article.