UWAC-funded teams are required to collect common data on DDBT mechanisms and constructs to determine the impact of modifying intervention and implementation strategy targets. This data is used to support center-wide science, help teams select methods and measures based on project design objectives, and satisfy U.S. National Institute of Mental Health reporting requirements. Click on each mechanism and construct to access their definition, quantitative and qualitative measurement methods and instruments.


  • Usability

    Assessed through usability evaluation, which includes methods such as heuristic evaluations, usability testing, cognitive walkthroughs, and standardize surveys (e.g., System/Intervention/Implementation Strategy Usability Scale). Read More →

  • Engagement 

    Assessed through the User Responsiveness Scale, observation, self-report, and telemetry (for digital interventions and implementation strategies). Read More →

  • Appropriateness

    Assessed through the Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) survey and goodness-of-fit interview. Read More →


  • Adoption and Reach 

    Outcomes from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) frameworks measured uniquely for each project. Read More →

  • Intervention and Implementation Strategy Fidelity 

    Measured by comparing the intended, original evidence-based intervention or implementation strategy protocol with the intervention or implementation strategy as delivered (fidelity of practice). This is measured uniquely for each project. Read More →

  • Planned Adaptations (i.e., Redesign Solutions) 

    Assessed using a UWAC-developed survey based on Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based practices (FRAME) and Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based Implementation Strategies (FRAME-IS) to capture adaptations made proactively (e.g., as part of the design process). Read More →

  • Unplanned/ Reactive Modifications

    Assessed using a UWAC-developed survey based on Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based practices (FRAME) and Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based Implementation Strategies (FRAME-IS) to capture adaptations made reactively (e.g., after intervention deployment). Read More →


PROMIS is a rigorously developed system of patient-reported outcome measures that enables standardized assessment of physical, mental, and social health across diverse patient populations.

The Top Problems Assessment (TPA) is a brief, idiographic tool that asks youth and caregivers to identify and rate the severity of the most important behavioral or emotional problems from their own perspectives, providing a personalized way to monitor change during treatment.

The DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure is a 23-item survey that screens for the presence and severity of symptoms spanning 13 psychiatric domains, enabling clinicians to identify trans-diagnostic mental health concerns.

The RCADS-25 is a psychometrically validated tool that screens and monitors anxiety and depression symptoms in 8- to 18-year-old youth through child or parent report using a 4-point Likert scale.

The PHQ-9 is a nine-item, self-report questionnaire that screens for, diagnoses, and tracks the severity of depression by assessing DSM-based depressive symptoms experienced over the past two weeks. The GAD-7 is a seven-item self-report questionnaire designed to screen for and measure the severity of generalized anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks.

WHODAS 2.0 is developed by the WHO to measure disability and functional health status across six domains of daily life, allowing standardized comparisons across multiple health conditions and cultures.