A new, task-based measure to assess cognitive behavioural therapy skills of young adults attending CBT

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) requires baseline skills and knowledge that people possess to varying degrees. This includes the ability to accurately identify thoughts, feelings, and behaviours; interactions between these; and an understanding that change in one area may bring about change in another. Assessing these skills could help clinicians discern whether adaptations to CBT are required early in treatment. We report two studies about the development and validation of a novel measure, the CBT Skills Task (CBT-SKI). Study 1 investigates the internal consistency and convergent validity of a four-vignette paper-and-pencil version of the task with 72 neurotypical adolescents. Study 2 examines the factor structure of a two-vignette online version of the CBT-SKI with 300 young adults aged 18-30, from neurotypical and neurodivergent populations. Across studies, the task demonstrated adequate internal consistency. Relevant task items converged well with a validated self-report measure analysing one’s own emotions. Exploratory factor analyses indicated a three- factor structure for the CBT-SKI, which was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. However, the third factor had below-threshold internal consistency, indicating potential issues with its composition and that further refinement may be required. The CBT-SKI shows promise as a psychometrically-sound measure of baseline CBT skills and clinical applications are discussed.