Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS)
Background
The Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) is a 14-item self-report questionnaire designed by R. Philip Snaith and colleagues in 1995 to measure anhedonia, which is the reduced ability to feel pleasure. It is now frequently used by researchers and healthcare providers to screen for and monitor symptoms of mental health conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Task Procedure
The SHAPS consists of 14 self-report items run in a fixed order. Each item describes a hypothetical but typically pleasant situation over the past few days (e.g. "I would enjoy being with my family or close friends.") and is assessed by participants on a 4-point Likert scale with the anchors 'Strongly Disagree' to 'Strongly Agree'.
What it Measures
The Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) measures anhedonia.
Psychological domains
- (An)hedonia: (Reduced) ability to feel pleasure
Main Performance Metrics
- Total Score: A single, aggregated score based on original responses scores as the main measure of 'anhedonia'. Preferred to track changes within participants.
- Binary Total Score: A single, aggregated score based on simplified, binary responses (analogous to yes/no). Suggested for easy anhedonia screening.
Psychiatric Conditions
The following patients tend to score in the anhedonia range with the SHAPS
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Schizophrenia
- Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
- Parkinson’s Disease
A questionnaire designed by Snaith et al (1995) with 14 4-point likert items measuring ability to experience pleasure.
References
Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS).
Snaith RP, Hamilton M, Morley S, Humayan A, Hargreaves D, Trigwell P. (1995). A scale for the assessment of hedonic tone the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale. Br J Psychiatry.Jul;167(1):99-103
Loas, G., & Krystkowiak, P. (2010). The measurement of anhedonia in Parkinson's disease: Psychometric properties of the Snaith‐Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and the relevance to distinguish anticipatory and consummatory anhedonias. Movement Disorders, 25(4), 523-524.
Nakonezny, Morris, Greer, Byerly, Carmody, Grannemann, . . . Trivedi. (2015). Evaluation of anhedonia with the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) in adult outpatients with major depressive disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 65, 124-130.
Langvik, E., & Borgen Austad, S. (2018). Psychometric Properties of the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale and a Facet-Level Analysis of the Relationship Between Anhedonia and Extraversion in a Nonclinical Sample. Psychological Reports, Psychological Reports, 2018.