Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing; Babak Saatchi, Crystle-Joie G. Agbayani, Stephen L. Clancy, Michelle A. Fortier; published June 18, 2022; DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12851

Abstract

Introduction: Irritability is associated with a higher burden of psychiatric symptoms and impairments in young adults’ educational, financial, and social functioning. Still, it has been measured mainly by subscales within larger tools. Few specific measures have been developed to capture this construct validly and reliably, hindering the differentiation of irritability from similar constructs like anger and aggression.

Aim: This integrative review was undertaken to identify the irritability measures used in young adults between 2000 to 2021.

Method: The 5-stage method proposed by Whittemore and Knafl (2005). Results Of 1258 results, 15 articles that included young adults as their participants and measured irritability with a specific tool were identified to be reviewed.

Discussion: Among the existing tools, the Brief Irritability Test (BITe) is a more precise and specific tool in young adults for measuring irritability and differentiating irritability from similar constructs.

Implications for practice: The findings have potential implications for better assessment and understanding of irritability in nursing research and practice, leading to the development of nursing interventions tailored to the affected young adult populations and improving the quality of life in these groups.