The Science of Psychiatric Measurement

Abstract

In this article, we compare and contrast mental health measurement based on classical test theory (CTT) with computerized adaptive testing (CAT) based on multidimensional item response theory (MIRT). We show that MIRT-based CAT has numerous advantages over the traditional CTT approach in terms of maximizing the precision of measurement while at the same time decreasing the burden of measurement both for the clinician and patient. We review the literature on CAT for depression, anxiety, mania/hypomania, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicidality psychosis, and substance use disorders. We highlight two interesting applications, one for national prevalence determination, and one for student mental health. Applications to special populations where item-level bias may exist and integration with electronic medical records systems are also discussed. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2023;53(9):400–404.]