Adult

• Scores 0.5 – 1.0 SD worse than the mean = mild symptoms/impairment
• Scores 1.0 – 2.0 SD worse than the mean = moderate symptoms/impairment
• Scores 2.0 SD or more worse than the mean = severe symptoms/impairment

Instructions

1. Identify whether the measure assesses negative or positive emotions.
2. Apply the cut points below.
3. Check the measure’s actual score range below to aid with interpretation.

Negative Emotion Measures

Anger, Apathy, Fear, Loneliness, Perceived Hostility, Perceived Rejection, Perceived Stress, Sadness

• T-scores below 60 = Within normal limits
• T-scores 60 and above = Potentially problematic

Positive Emotion Measures

Emotional Support, Friendship, Instrumental Support, Life Satisfaction, Meaning & Purpose, Positive Affect, Self-Efficacy

• T-scores above 40 = Within normal limits
• T-scores 40 and below = Potentially problematic

Due to test design, not all NIH Toolbox measures can produce the full range of T-scores. Some measures have:

• Limited low ranges: Cannot detect very low levels of symptoms.
• Limited high ranges: Cannot detect very high levels of symptoms.

Consequently:

• Scores at the extreme of a measure’s range should be interpreted with caution.
• Consider using multiple measures when comprehensive assessment is needed.

ASCQ-Me does not use score cut points. To interpret an ASCQ-Me T-score:

1. Identify the direction of scoring. That is, do high scores indicate better (desirable) or worse (undesirable) health. This information can be found on the ASCQ-Me homepage.
2. Consider the difference between the T-score you have and 50.

A T-score of 60 on the Emotional Impact measure is one standard deviation higher, indicating much better health, than the average for adults with sickle cell disease who participated in the field test. In contrast, a score of 60 on the Pain Episode scale indicates a person with pain episodes that are one standard deviation worse than the average for field test participants.