There are times in research and practice when it is necessary to shorten instruments in order to meet time restrictions. This might be necessary in test-retest studies, or when multiple instruments are being used. However, these shortened versions need to perform the same functions as the longer versions and retain their validity. Studies with the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised (MAACL-R) have shown a shortened version to be both valid and useful. Also shorter sixth-grade and fourth-grade reading level forms have proven to be valid as well.

The MAACL-R is a widely used instrument consisting of 132 adjectives available in Trait Form (How do you feel in general?) or State Form (How do you feel today?). Both Trait and State Forms have been shown to differentiate patients with affective disorders from other types of patients as well as normals.

Although the original version of the MAACL-R contains 132 adjectives, only 66 of them are scored for the five scales. The Short Form consists of only those adjectives that are scored. A recent study compared the reliability and validity of the short version of the MAACL-R, which consists of 66 scored adjectives, with the standard version, which consists of 132 adjectives (66 scored adjectives and 66 "buffer" adjectives).

Lubin, Van Whitlock, Reddy & Petren (2001) gave two groups of college graduates the long and short versions of the MAACL-R as well as three other instruments. These included an instrument measuring state and trait versions of Anxiety, Depression, Anger, and Curiosity. They also took a scale measuring such factors as, Thrill and Adventure Seeking, Experience Seeking, Disinhibition, and Boredom Susceptibility. A third assessment consisted of items asking about the occurrence of negative and positive events during the past week.

The participants in this study were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 109 college undergraduates, 74 females and 35 males. Group 2 consisted of 116 college undergraduates, 82 females and 34 males. Within each group, half of the participants completed the Short Form of the MAACL-R first and then the Standard Form. This process was reversed for the other half of each group.

Continued . . . .