Scale-Description

The Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS) is a tool developed to assess anxiety related to pain. The PASS is designed to measure the anxiety and distress arising from pain experiences, as well as related behaviors and thoughts. The scale evaluates various aspects of pain-related anxiety, including both physical and psychological symptoms.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data analysis from the PASS involves evaluating responses to various items using a rating scale, typically from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). The data is generally aggregated to calculate a total anxiety score related to pain.

Analysis typically includes assessing the scale’s reliability, such as internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha), and validity by comparing it with other anxiety and pain scales. Analysis methods may include descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to understand factors contributing to anxiety and assess differences between groups.

Purpose

The primary objective of the PASS is to provide a reliable and accurate method for assessing anxiety related to pain. The scale aims to help understand how anxiety affects the experience of pain and related behaviors, providing information that can aid in managing pain and its psychological effects.

Calibration

Calibration of the PASS involves validating the scale through research examining its reliability and validity. Key steps include analyzing internal consistency (e.g., using Cronbach’s alpha) and assessing the scale’s validity by comparing it with other anxiety and pain scales. Calibration may also involve analyses identifying differences in anxiety measurements under various conditions or intervention programs.

References

McCracken, L. M., & Dhingra, L. (2002). The Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale: Development and Psychometric Evaluation. Journal of Pain, 3(5), 340-348.

McCracken, L. M., & Tait, R. C. (2005). The Role of Pain Anxiety in the Experience of Pain: Development of the PASS. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43(3), 333-349.

Crombez, G., Van den Broeck, A., Van Houdenhove, B., & Lysens, R. (1999). Pain-related anxiety and disability: A review. Pain Research & Management, 4(4), 221-230.