Impact of Event Scale - Revised

Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) is a self-report measure designed to assess current subjective distress for any specific life event. It is a widely used tool in the field of psychology and psychiatry for measuring the severity of an individual's response to traumatic events.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The IES-R is a revised version of the original Impact of Event Scale (IES), which was developed by Mardi J. Horowitz, Nancy Wilner, and William Alvarez in 1979. The revised version was developed to include a subscale for hyperarousal, which was not included in the original scale.

The IES-R consists of 22 items, which are divided into three subscales: intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal. The intrusion subscale measures the extent to which the event persistently reoccurs in the individual's thoughts. The avoidance subscale measures the extent to which the individual avoids reminders of the event. The hyperarousal subscale measures the extent to which the individual experiences symptoms of increased arousal, such as difficulty sleeping and irritability.

Usage[edit | edit source]

The IES-R is used in both clinical and research settings to measure the impact of traumatic events on individuals. It is often used in studies investigating the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), natural disasters, war, and other traumatic events.

Scoring[edit | edit source]

Each item on the IES-R is rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely). The total score ranges from 0 to 88, with higher scores indicating greater distress.

Validity and Reliability[edit | edit source]

The IES-R has been found to have good psychometric properties, including high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. It has been validated in various populations, including veterans, disaster survivors, and individuals with PTSD.

Limitations[edit | edit source]

While the IES-R is a useful tool for measuring distress related to traumatic events, it does not provide a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder. It is also not suitable for use with children or individuals with cognitive impairments.