Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire – ATQ-30
Measures the frequency of negative automatic thoughts associated with depression.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire – ATQ-30 was developed by Steven D. Hollon, Phillip C. Kendall (1980). It is designed to measure Negative Automatic Thoughts. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 30 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Personal Maladjustment and Desire for Change, Negative Self-Concepts and Negative Expectations, Low Self-Esteem, Helplessness.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Maladjustment and Desire for Change | 7,10,14,20,26 | 5 |
| Negative Self-Concepts and Negative Expectations | 2,3,9,21,23,24,28 | 7 |
| Low Self-Esteem | 17,18 | 2 |
| Helplessness | 29,30 | 2 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Not at all, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Moderately often, 4 = Often, 5 = All the time.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 30 to 150. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low frequency of negative automatic thoughts: 30 – 75
- Moderate frequency of negative automatic thoughts: 76 – 110
- High frequency of negative automatic thoughts: 111 – 150
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of High internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > .90).
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.