Table of Contents
Impact of Event Scale – Revised
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About Impact of Event Scale – Revised
Scale Name
Impact of Event Scale – Revised
Author Details
Daniel S. Weiss
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) emerged in response to a critical need: accurately assessing the psychological distress individuals experience after traumatic events. Born from the foundation laid by the 1979 Impact of Event Scale (IES), the IES-R was meticulously crafted by Daniel S. Weiss and Charles R. Marmar in 1997.
Recognizing the importance of hyperarousal in PTSD, they expanded upon the original 15-item scale by adding 7 items specifically targeting this crucial symptom cluster. These additions brought the IES-R closer to reflecting the full spectrum of PTSD as defined by the DSM-IV, ensuring a more comprehensive picture of an individual’s post-traumatic experience.
The IES-R’s streamlined 22-item format focuses on the subjective distress caused by a specific traumatic event within the past week. By narrowing the timeframe, the IES-R captures the acute aftermath of trauma, offering valuable insights for diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring symptom improvement.
Today, the IES-R stands as a widely used and respected tool in mental health settings. Its ability to reliably and efficiently assess PTSD symptoms in research and clinical contexts has significantly contributed to our understanding of trauma’s impact and the development of effective interventions. It is a testament to the dedication of Weiss and Marmar, who saw the need for a refined instrument and dedicated their expertise to providing it, ultimately shaping the trajectory of trauma research and care.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
Preparation:
- Obtain the IES-R: The scale is available in the public domain and can be downloaded for free from various sources.
- Review instructions: Familiarize yourself with the scoring and interpretation guidelines.
- Identify the target event: Determine the specific traumatic event that the individual will be asked to consider when completing the scale.
Administration:
- Explain the purpose: Inform the individual that the questionnaire is designed to assess their reactions to a stressful or traumatic event.
- Focus on the target event: Ask the individual to keep a specific traumatic event in mind while answering the questions.
- Read instructions aloud: Ensure understanding by reading the instructions at the beginning of the scale to the individual.
- Allow for self-administration: The individual can typically complete the IES-R independently. However, provide assistance if needed, especially for those with literacy or comprehension difficulties.
- Answer honestly: Encourage the individual to answer each question as honestly as possible, based on their experiences in the past week.
Scoring:
- Use a 5-point scale: Each item is rated from 0 (“not at all”) to 4 (“extremely”).
- Calculate scores:
- Total score: Add up all 22 items (range from 0 to 88).
- Subscale scores: Calculate scores for the Intrusion (8 items), Avoidance (8 items), and Hyperarousal (6 items) subscales.
- Interpret scores: Use established guidelines or consult with a qualified mental health professional to interpret the scores.
Reliability and Validity
Reliability indicates the consistency of a measure, how likely it is to produce similar results under consistent conditions. The IES-R has demonstrated strong reliability in various studies:
- Internal consistency: Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the IES-R subscales and total scores typically range from 0.80 to 0.95, indicating high internal consistency.
- Test-retest reliability: Studies have shown strong test-retest reliability over time, with correlations typically above 0.80.
Validity refers to the accuracy of a measure, how well it assesses what it claims to measure. The IES-R has also demonstrated good validity:
- Convergent validity: The IES-R scores correlate highly with other measures of PTSD, such as the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the PTSD Checklist (PCL).
- Discriminant validity: The IES-R can distinguish between individuals with and without PTSD, and scores tend to be higher in those with more severe PTSD symptoms.
- Factorial validity: Studies have generally supported the three-factor structure of the IES-R (intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal), although some studies have suggested alternative factor structures.
Available Versions
22-Items
Reference
Weiss, D. S., & Marmar, C. R. (1997). The Impact of Event Scale—Revised. In J. P. Wilson & T. M. Keane (Eds.), Assessing psychological trauma and PTSD (pp. 399–411). The Guilford Press.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is it?
A: The IES-R is a 22-question tool to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms caused by a specific event.
Q: Who uses it?
A: Mental health professionals and researchers use it to: Diagnose PTSD, Track symptom severity, Monitor treatment progress
Q: How reliable is it?
A: Very reliable! Scores consistently reflect symptom levels over time.
Q: How valid is it?
A: Very valid! Scores match well with other PTSD measurements.
Q: Is it a diagnosis tool?
A: No, it’s an assessment tool. A qualified professional should diagnose PTSD.
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