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Padua Inventory–Washington State University Revision
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About Padua Inventory–Washington State University Revision
Scale Name
Padua Inventory–Washington State University Revision
Author Details
G. Leonard Burns, Susan G. Keortge, Gina M. Formea, and Lee G. Sternberger
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Padua Inventory–Washington State University Revision (PI-WSUR) is a refined self-report measure designed to assess the presence and severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, offering a clearer distinction between obsessions, compulsions, and worry. Developed in 1996 by G. Leonard Burns, Susan G. Keortge, Gina M. Formea, and Lee G. Sternberger, this revision addressed limitations in the original Padua Inventory, which sometimes conflated OCD symptoms with general worry, reducing its specificity for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). By focusing on content relevant to OCD, the PI-WSUR enhances diagnostic precision, making it a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers studying this complex condition.
The PI-WSUR consists of 39 items, each rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = “not at all” to 4 = “very much”), covering five key domains: obsessional thoughts about harm to self or others, obsessional impulses to harm self or others, contamination obsessions and washing compulsions, checking compulsions, and dressing/grooming compulsions. Respondents evaluate how much each statement reflects their thoughts or behaviors, such as “I feel my hands are dirty when I touch money” or “I have to do things several times before I think they are properly done.” With a total score range of 0 to 156, higher scores indicate greater symptom severity. The scale’s development involved large samples, including over 5,000 participants, ensuring robust empirical grounding.
Psychologists value the PI-WSUR for its ability to capture the nuanced phenomenology of OCD, from intrusive thoughts to ritualistic behaviors, while minimizing overlap with generalized anxiety. Its structured format supports screening, treatment planning, and outcome evaluation, particularly in therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or exposure and response prevention (ERP). The scale’s accessibility and cross-cultural applicability further enhance its utility, allowing professionals to explore OCD’s impact across diverse populations with confidence in its targeted approach.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the Padua Inventory–Washington State University Revision from a reputable psychological resource, such as academic journals or licensed publishers, ensuring ethical and authorized use.
- Explain the purpose of the PI-WSUR to the respondent, clarifying that it measures thoughts and behaviors related to OCD to help understand their experiences better.
- Provide instructions, asking the respondent to rate each of the 39 statements based on how much it applies to them, using the 0-4 scale, and to answer honestly.
- Approximate time for completion is about 10-15 minutes, depending on the respondent’s pace and level of reflection.
- Administer the scale in a quiet, comfortable setting, using paper or digital formats, to encourage accurate and thoughtful responses.
Reliability and Validity
The Padua Inventory–Washington State University Revision demonstrates strong psychometric properties, making it a reliable and valid measure for OCD assessment. Internal consistency is excellent, with Cronbach’s alpha for the total score averaging 0.92 and subscale alphas ranging from 0.77 to 0.88 across studies. Test-retest reliability is robust, with correlations of 0.76 to 0.80 for the total score over several weeks, indicating stable measurement in untreated individuals.
Validity is well-supported. Convergent validity is evidenced by strong correlations with other OCD measures, like the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (r = 0.60-0.70), while discriminant validity is shown through weaker associations with worry-focused scales, such as the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (r < 0.40), addressing the original inventory’s overlap issue. Criterion validity is confirmed by its ability to differentiate OCD patients from non-clinical controls and those with other anxiety disorders, as well as its sensitivity to treatment effects, such as reductions in scores post-CBT. These qualities underscore the PI-WSUR’s precision in targeting OCD-specific symptoms.
Available Versions
39-Items
Reference
Burns, G. L., Keortge, S. G., Formea, G. M., & Sternberger, L. G. (1996). Revision of the Padua Inventory of obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms: Distinctions between worry, obsessions, and compulsions. Behaviour research and therapy, 34(2), 163-173.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the PI-WSUR measure?
It assesses obsessive-compulsive symptoms, focusing on thoughts, impulses, and behaviors.
Who can administer the PI-WSUR?
Psychologists and clinicians trained in psychological assessment can use it.
How long does it take to complete the PI-WSUR?
It takes about 10-15 minutes.
Does the PI-WSUR distinguish OCD from worry?
Yes, it was revised to minimize overlap with general worry.
Can it evaluate treatment outcomes?
Yes, it’s sensitive to changes from therapies like CBT or ERP.
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