Development and Limited Validation of a Computerized Adaptive (CAT) Version of the e-QPASS Psychopathology Assessment

The e-QPASS (Quick Psychoaffective Symptoms Scan) is a comprehensive 105-item psychopathology assessment that captures three core emotional dimensions underlying mental illness: depression, anxiety, and anger. While clinically valuable, its 10-minute administration time creates barriers for high-throughput clinical and research settings. This study developed a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) version to preserve comprehensive symptom coverage while dramatically reducing respondent burden. We analyzed data from 625 participants (47.8% female, ages 15-79) who completed the full e-QPASS. Exploratory factor analysis identified dimensionality, and Item Response Theory (IRT) Graded Response Models were fitted to calibrate item parameters. CAT simulations determined optimal item administration sequences, with final versions limited to 12 items for general psychopathology and 8 items each for internalizing and externalizing dimensions. Concurrent validity was assessed by examining preservation of known gender differences in externalizing symptoms between full and CAT versions. Factor analysis revealed a robust two-factor structure: Dysregulated Externalizing and Internalizing. IRT models demonstrated acceptable fit (CFI=0.965, RMSEA=0.059). The CAT versions maintained high measurement precision (SE≤0.40) across clinically relevant trait levels while achieving a 10-fold reduction in items. Gender differences in externalizing symptoms were preserved with identical effect sizes across both full and CAT versions, confirming construct validity. The CAT e-QPASS successfully balances comprehensive psychopathology assessment with practical efficiency, offering substantial promise for clinical screening, treatment monitoring, and large-scale research applications where repeated assessments are essential.