Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ-N)

Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ-N)

The Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ-N) is a 30-item self-report questionnaire that measures the frequency of negative automatic thoughts (NATs) in individuals with depression. The ATQ-N was developed by Steven D. Hollon and Phillip C. Kendall (1980) in response to Aaron T. Beck’s hypothesis that thinking in depressed populations tends to be negative.

What are negative automatic thoughts?

Negative automatic thoughts are brief, fleeting, and often upsetting thoughts that occur spontaneously in response to a situation or event. They are often negative and self-critical, and they can have a significant impact on mood, behavior, and functioning.

What is the ATQ-N?

The ATQ-N is a 30-item self-report questionnaire that measures the frequency of negative automatic thoughts. The items on the ATQ-N are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = never, 5 = always) in terms of how frequently the statement has occurred during the past week.

How is the ATQ-N scored?

The ATQ-N is scored by summing the item scores. The total score can range from 30 to 150, with higher scores indicating a greater frequency of negative automatic thoughts.

What is the reliability and validity of the ATQ-N?

The ATQ-N has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of negative automatic thoughts in individuals with depression. The ATQ-N has good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity.

How is the ATQ-N used?

The ATQ-N can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Diagnosis: The ATQ-N can be used to help diagnose depression.
• Assessment: The ATQ-N can be used to assess the severity of negative automatic thoughts.
• Treatment planning: The ATQ-N can be used to help develop a treatment plan for depression.
• Monitoring progress: The ATQ-N can be used to monitor progress in treatment for depression.

What are the limitations of the ATQ-N?

The ATQ-N has a few limitations, including:

• It is not a diagnostic tool. The ATQ-N should not be used to diagnose depression.
• It is not a comprehensive measure of negative automatic thoughts. The ATQ-N only measures a limited number of negative automatic thoughts.
• It is not a sensitive measure of change. The ATQ-N may not be sensitive to small changes in the frequency of negative automatic thoughts.

Conclusion

The ATQ-N is a useful tool for assessing the frequency of negative automatic thoughts in individuals with depression. The ATQ-N has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of negative automatic thoughts, and it has been used in a variety of research studies and clinical settings.

References

• Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press.
• Dobson, K. S., Hollon, S. D., & Evans, M. D. (1991). Cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy for depression: So which is better? Clinical Psychology Review, 11, 449-479.
• Hollon, S. D., & Kendall, P. C. (1980). Cognitive self-statement questionnaire: Development and validation. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 4, 383-393.

The Automatic Thought Questionnaire 30 (ATQ 30) is a scientific questionnaire created by Steven D. Hollon and Phillip C. Kendall that measures automatic negative thoughts. The ATQ 30 consists of 30 negative statements and asks participants to indicate how often they experienced the negative thought during the course of the week on a scale of 1–5 (1=Low-High=5).^[4][5] This measure was created in response to Aaron T. Beck’s hypothesis that thinking in depressed populations tends to be negative.

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