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Reliability and Validity of the Overt Agitation Severity Scale in Adult Psychiatric Inpatients

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Abstract

An instrument, that validly and reliably identifies and measures agitation is required to evaluate environmental modifications, interpersonal strategies, psychopharmacological interventions, directed toward managing these commonly occurring and highly-disabling emotions and behavior. The conceptualization of agitation on a continuum from anxiety to aggression provides a practical framework for guiding clinical practice toward the early identification and intervention of agitation. The results of this study established the reliability and validity of the Overt Agitation Severity Scale (OASS) in measuring agitation severity in young adult psychiatric inpatients based on objectifiable vocalizations and motoric upper and lower body behaviors. The OASS differs from other agitation scales in its ability to capture both the intensity and frequency of observable behavioral manifestations of agitation, as opposed to subjective interpretations and a diffuse range of symptoms and problem behaviors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

    Heather J. Kopecky (Director for Clinical Operations and Clinical Instructor)

  2. Department of Psychiatry at the, University of Texas Medical School, USA

    Charles R. Kopecky (Assistant Professor of the)

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at, Baylor College of Medicine in, Houston, Texas

    Stuart C. Yudofsky (D.C. & Irene Ellwood Professor and Chairman of the)

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  1. Heather J. Kopecky
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  2. Charles R. Kopecky
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  3. Stuart C. Yudofsky
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Kopecky, H.J., Kopecky, C.R. & Yudofsky, S.C. Reliability and Validity of the Overt Agitation Severity Scale in Adult Psychiatric Inpatients. Psychiatr Q 69, 301–323 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022182114925

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