Considering the Clinical Utility of Performance-Based Measures of Childhood Anxiety

Abstract

Examines general issues regarding the clinical utility of performance-based measures and specifically considers the utility of performance measures relevant to childhood anxiety and fear. First, we discuss the limitations of questionnaire and interview measures of childhood anxiety and the ways in which performance-based measures may compensate for or augment the use of such measures. Second, we review the major groups of performance-based measures that are potentially relevant to childhood anxiety and discuss evidence regarding their reliability and validity. Third, in the context of a general discussion of the various ways in which an assessment procedure may have clinical utility, we discuss the extent to which the performance-based techniques reviewed possess utility. Although many of these measures show promise of one or more types of clinical utility, none currently possess sufficient documented utility to warrant their dissemination for clinical use. We conclude by recommending directions for future research to demonstrate and improve the utility of such measures.