⚠ Educational Use Only — The CAT-PD: Anxiousness is a self-reflection worksheet for academic and research purposes only. It does not provide a formal assessment result, professional evaluation, or any form of recommendation. If you have concerns, please consult a qualified professional.
7 Research Items
1–5 Likert Scale
≥3 Baseline Avg
~2m Est. Time

Anxiousness: Academic Baseline Profiler

The Anxiousness subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery, developed by Simms and colleagues (2011) at the University at Buffalo, provides a 7-item academic baseline for measuring trait-level anxiety, worry, and fearful anticipation. Unlike state anxiety measures, this instrument targets...

For each statement, select the response that best describes your typical patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. There are no right or wrong answers — accurate, honest responses produce the most academically useful baseline data.

1 of 7 CAT-PD: Anxiousness

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Academic Profile
Average item score (1–5 scale) · CAT-PD: Anxiousness

Profile Interpretation

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Educational Context

Higher average scores reflect trait-level anxiety and worry that are stable features of the respondent's personality profile. The scale is an educational research baseline, not a formal evaluative conclusion about the user's current state.

Academic research uses these scores as baseline data points within structured personality research frameworks. Scores are not evaluative conclusions and should always be interpreted by a qualified researcher or professional in conjunction with a comprehensive assessment battery.

Academic Citation

Simms, L. J., Goldberg, L. R., Roberts, J. E., Watson, D., Welte, J., & Rotterman, J. H. (2011). Computerized adaptive assessment of personality disorder: Introducing the CAT–PD project. Journal of Personality Assessment, 93(4), 380–389. doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2011.577475

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The Academic Science Behind the CAT-PD: Anxiousness

The Anxiousness subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery, developed by Simms and colleagues (2011) at the University at Buffalo, provides a 7-item academic baseline for measuring trait-level anxiety, worry, and fearful anticipation. Unlike state anxiety measures, this instrument targets stable dispositional patterns.

Research Framework and Construct Validity

Trait anxiousness, as conceptualized in the CAT-PD framework, reflects a chronic, stable tendency to perceive situations as threatening and to respond with heightened arousal. Items capture multiple anxiety-related facets including panic proneness, generalized worry, fearfulness, and hypervigilance.

Comparison: CAT-PD: Anxiousness vs. GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale)
Feature CAT-PD-ANX GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale)
Core Construct Anxiousness trait profiling Closely related construct
Number of Items 7 items Varies by version
Primary Use Case Academic personality baseline Research and structured evaluation
Scoring Method 1–5 Likert average Scale-specific method
Framework CAT-PD personality research battery Independent academic instrument

Understanding Your Score Range

The 7-item scale yields an average score from 1 to 5. Scores above 3.0 reflect above-average anxiousness trait patterns. One reverse-keyed item ('Rarely worry') contributes to scoring validity by assessing the absence of anxious traits.

Academic Utility and Research Applications

The Anxiousness subscale is routinely combined with Affective Lability and Depressiveness in academic internalizing trait cluster analyses, enabling researchers to distinguish between predominantly anxious and predominantly depressive personality patterns.

Educational Results Interpretation

Higher average scores reflect trait-level anxiety and worry that are stable features of the respondent's personality profile. The scale is an educational research baseline, not a formal evaluative conclusion about the user's current state. This engine is provided for academic self-reflection and research purposes only. Results constitute educational data points and not evaluative conclusions. Participants are always encouraged to consult a qualified professional for comprehensive structural review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is trait anxiousness, and how is it different from feeling anxious sometimes?

Trait anxiousness, as measured by the CAT-PD, refers to a stable personality disposition — the consistent tendency to perceive situations as threatening and to respond with heightened inner arousal. Everyone feels anxious sometimes; trait anxiousness describes how frequently and intensely that happens as a baseline pattern, independent of specific triggers. Understanding this distinction helps you move from 'Why am I like this?' to 'This is a pattern I can understand and work with.'

How is the Anxiousness score calculated?

Seven items are rated 1–5. One item ('Rarely worry') is reverse-keyed and scored inversely. The average of all seven responses is your score. A higher average reflects a stronger dispositional tendency toward worry and fearful anticipation — it is a research baseline, not a measure of how anxious you are right this moment.

A high score feels discouraging — is there hope for change?

There is a great deal of hope. Trait anxiousness is one of the personality dimensions with the most robust evidence for change through structured approaches. Research on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy all show meaningful reductions in anxiousness over time. Your score is a starting point, not a destination. Exploring our Cognitive Restructuring guide and connecting with a professional who understands anxiety are both genuinely powerful next steps.

Is the Anxiousness subscale scientifically reliable?

Yes. The CAT-PD Anxiousness subscale was validated by Simms et al. (2011) with Cronbach's alpha of α = .83 in community samples and α = .85 in patient samples — strong internal consistency that supports its use as a personality research baseline instrument.

Does this profile replace a formal professional evaluation?

No. This is an educational self-reflection worksheet. It provides a research baseline, not a formal assessment or personalised guidance. If your score resonates with your lived experience, connecting with a qualified professional is the most empowering step you can take.