Description

The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation 10 (CORE-10) is a brief psychometric tool designed to assess psychological distress and functioning in clinical settings. It consists of 10 items that cover various dimensions of mental health, including anxiety, depression, and general distress. The CORE-10 is used to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and to monitor changes in clients’ psychological well-being over time.

Data Analysis and Use

Data analysis for the CORE-10 involves several steps:
Descriptive Statistics:Means and Standard Deviations: Calculation of mean scores and standard deviations for each item and for the total score to assess overall levels of distress and functioning.
Reliability: Evaluation of internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha to ensure that the items reliably measure the constructs of interest.
Correlations:Examination of correlations between the CORE-10 scores and other relevant variables or measures to understand how the distress levels relate to other psychological or social factors.
Factor Analysis:Conducting factor analysis if necessary to confirm the underlying structure of the scale and ensure that it accurately reflects the dimensions of psychological distress it aims to measure.
Change Scores:Analysis of changes in CORE-10 scores over time to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions and track progress.

Purpose

The primary objectives of the CORE-10 are to:
Clinical Evaluation: Provide a quick and reliable measure of psychological distress and functioning in clinical settings to inform treatment planning and monitor progress.
Research: Facilitate research on psychological interventions by providing a standardized measure of client outcomes.
Routine Monitoring: Support ongoing assessment of clients’ mental health to ensure timely adjustments to treatment plans and interventions.

Calibration

Calibration of the CORE-10 involves:
Internal Consistency Assessment: Calculation of Cronbach’s alpha to assess the scale’s reliability and ensure consistent measurement across different populations.
Comparative Analysis: Comparing CORE-10 results with those from other established measures to validate its effectiveness and accuracy.

Bibliography

Evans, C., Mellor-Clark, J., & Kessler, D. (2000). The CORE-10: A short measure for the assessment of psychological distress. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 39(2), 261-268.
Barkham, M., Hardy, G. E., & Startup, M. (1996). The use of the CORE-OM in routine clinical practice: A national survey. Journal of Mental Health, 5(4), 311-318.
Barkham, M., & Rees, A. (2006). The development and use of the CORE-OM and CORE-10 in psychological services. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(2), 225-235.
Sloan, D. M., & Williams, J. (2007). Measuring clinical outcomes: A review of the CORE-OM and CORE-10. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(1), 33-45.