Readability of Self-Reported Measures in Psychosis

To identify the readability levels of measures used in assessing psychosis. Measures were identified through a literature search. Fourteen measures met the inclusion criteria (written in English, developed in the US between 1997 and 2024, and publicly available) and were analyzed using 4 validated formulas: Gunning Fog, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, FORCAST, and Flesch Reading Ease Score. Measures with an average readability score exceeding 6.00 were above the recommended reading level. All measures exhibited mean readability scores above the recommended sixth-grade level. The mean reading levels of the instruction and item sections were 9.08 (SD=1.44, range, 7.13-10.70) and 9.06 (SD=1.98, range, 7.08-13.79), respectively. The findings indicate that measures used in assessing psychosis are written above the recommended reading levels and do not conform to suggested standards. The study highlights a significant gap in the readability of psychosis assessment measures, emphasizing the need for improvements to ensure accurate symptom assessment and effective treatment monitoring for individuals with psychotic disorders. .