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The Positive and Negative Scale PDF
The Positive and Negative Scale PDF
2,1967
The Positive and Negative
Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
for Schizophrenia
-25
i—r i .
-17 -9 -1
K../-;^, " -,....
15 23 31 39 47 55 63
coefficients with single items re-
moved ranged from .64 to .84, and
no perceptible gain on either scale
PANSS SCORE
PANSS, and the full spectrum of Table 2. PANSS distribution based on sample of 101
scores is illustrated in figure 1. All schizophrenics: Conversion of raw scores to percentile ranks
four measures exhibited a roughly
normal distribution pattern, without Raw score on PANSS scale
substantial skewness or kurtosis. Percentile General
This observation suggested that the rank Positive Negative Composite psychopathology
constructs in question represent typ- 99.9 37 40 21 67
ical continua and that their measure- 99 33 36 15 60
ment is amenable to parametric 98 31 34 13 58
statistical treatment. The obtained
95 29 32 10 54
range of scores in all cases was con-
90 26 29 7 50
siderably less than the potential
85 25 28 5 48
range, suggesting that the scales
80 24 27 4 46
were of ample breadth to avoid ceil-
75 23 26 3 44
ing restrictions. The medians of the
70 22 25 2 43
Positive and Negative Scales were
65 21 24 1 42
strikingly close (18 and 20, respec-
tively), and therefore the Composite 60 20 23 0 40
Scale, representing their differential, 55 19 22 - 1 39
exhibited a median of -2, which indi- 50 18 21 - 2 38
45 — — - 4 36
cated an almost equal contribution
by positive and negative items. 40 17 20 - 5 35
35 16 19 - 6 34
On the basis of the normality of 30 15 18 - 7 33
distribution, it was possible to 25 14 17 - 8 31
convert raw scores for each of the 20 13 16 - 9 30
PANSS scales to percentile ranks 15 12 15 -11 28
(table 2). This process enables provi- 10 11 14 -13 26
sional interpretation of individual 5 8 11 -15 22
scores with reference to a medicated 2 7 8 -18 18
chronic schizophrenic sample. 1 — 7 -20 16
Internal Consistency and Test-Re- 0.1 — — -25 —
test Reliability. The reliability of the Note—PANSS - Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.
266 SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN
Negative Scale
Blunted affect 2.94 .93 .63 <.001 .81
Emotional withdrawal 3.03 1.08 .78 <.001 .78
Poor rapport 2.58 1.44 .76 <.OO1 .79
Passive-apathetic social withdrawal 2.78 1.19 .79 <.001 .78
Difficulty in abstract thinking 3.95 1.34 .61 <.001 .82
Lack of spontaneity & flow of conversation 2.87 .45 .86 <001 .76
Stereotyped thinking 2.90 .30 .50 <.001 .84
Scale total 21.01 (5.17 (a = .83,
p<.001)
could be achieved by discarding any (p < .001). of similar magnitude (r = .59 and
item. Overall, the a coefficients for As expected, both scales corre- - .61, respectively, p < .001). This
the Positive and Negative Scales lated strongly with the Composite again indicated that the two scales
were .73 and .83, respectively Scale, and they yielded coefficients contributed equivalently to the com-
VOL13.NO 2,1987 267
Sample Items From the Positive interfere with thinking, social rela-
Appendix and Negative Syndrome Scale tions, or behavior.
5. Moderate-severe—Presence of nu-
PI. Delusions. Beliefs which are un-
merous well-formed delusions that
founded, unrealistic, and idio-
are tenaciously held and occasion-
syncratic. Basis for rating: thought
ally interfere with thinking, social
content expressed in the inteview
relations, or behavior.
and its influence on behavior.
6. Severe—Presence of a stable set of
1. Absent—Definition does not ap- delusions that are crystallized, pos-
ply. sibly systematized, tenaciously held,
2. Minimal—Questionable pathol- and clearly interfere with thinking,
ogy; may be at the upper extreme of social relations, and behavior. Pa-
normal limits. tient at times acts inappropriately
3. Mild—Presence of one or two de- and irresponsibly on the basis of un-
lusions that are vague, un- realistic beliefs.
crystallized, and not tenaciously 7. Extreme—Presence of a stable set
held. Delusions do not interfere of delusions that are either highly
with thinking, social relations, or be- systematized or very numerous, and
havior. dominate major facets of the pa-
4. Moderate—Presence of either a ka- tient's life. This frequently results in
leidoscopic array of poorly formed, inappropriate and irresponsible ac-
unstable delusions or of a few well- tion, which may even jeopardize the
formed delusions that occasionally safety of the patient or others.
SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN