state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI)

A brief self-report inventory that differentiates between state anxiety, which may be experienced in certain situations, & trait anxiety, which is the chronic form of anxiety. The STAI consists of 20 items that are short descriptive statements. The subject responds to the items on a 4-point scale: 1) how he/she feels at the moment (state anxiety) 2) how he/she generally feels (trait anxiety) Advantages: - may be useful for elderly subjects Disadvantages: - not as much comparative data as other measures of anxiety

References

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, Osterweil et al eds, McGraw Hill, New York, 2000, pg 116