References

The ADAPSS primary scale assesses ‘an individual’s initial evaluation of an event or situation’. Its secondary scale assesses ‘an individual’s evaluation of their own coping resources, the possibility of these resources being adequate, and the likelihood that these resources can be employed effectively’ (Dean & Kennedy, 2009).  The scale consists of 6 subscales: Fearful Despondency; Overwhelming Disbelief; Determined Resolve; Growth and Resilience; Negative Perceptions of Disability; and Personal Agency.

Number of items: 33

Procedure/Administration: The ADAPSS is a self-administered questionnaire.  Participants are asked to rate their agreement/disagreement with the statements on a Likert Scale.

How scored: N/a

Interpretability: High scores on the Fearful Despondency, Overwhelming Disbelief, and Negative Perceptions of Disability subscales represent greater agreement with the appraisals whereas low scores on the Determined Resolve, Growth and Resilience, and Personal Agency subscales represent greater agreement with the appraisals (though the range of scores is not provided). No information is given regarding norms or meaningful cut-off scores, although the ADAPSS is still in early stages of development. 

Acceptability: The ADAPSS is a SCI-specific appraisal scale. The questions are straightforward and the scale covers a range of appraisal themes. However, the ADAPSS is still in the early stages of development: its psychometric properties have been evaluated in only one study and it has only been tested in the community-dwelling SCI population

Languages: N/a

Usability: A self-administered format is recommended but an interviewer or proxy could be used in the case of severe physical disability. The assessment seems easy to administer and score

Time to administer: N/a

Time to score: N/a

Training required: N/a

Availability: N/a

Equipment required: None

Summary: Appraisals are important psychosocial variables in SCI populations as they have been found to be good predictors of emotional adjustment. The ADAPSS is useful in the clinical setting to better understand the appraisals which are significant for adjustment to SCI and thus to tailor treatment programs for patients.

Psychometric Summary:

Note: TR= Test re-test; IC= Internal Consistency; Inter-O= Inter-observer; Intra-O= Intra-observer; SS= Sensitivity/Specificity; N/a= No information.

Red light= A single study involving SCI subjects which has less than adequate findings of reliability, validity, and/or responsiveness.

Yellow light= A single study involving subjects with SCI which has adequate to excellent findings of reliability, validity, and/or responsiveness.

Green light= At least 2 studies involving subjects with SCI which have adequate to excellent findings of reliability, validity, and/or responsiveness.
* the Determined Resolve, Growth and Resilience, and Personal Agency subscales had adequate internal consistency. The other subscales had excellent internal consistency.

References

• Dean RE, Kennedy P. Measuring Appraisals Following Acquired Spinal Cord Injury: A Preliminary Psychometric Analysis of the Appraisals of Disability. Rehabilitation Psychology 2009;54(2): 222-231.