Questionnaire-Description

Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27) is a tool designed to assess symptoms of separation anxiety in adults. The ASA-27 consists of 27 items that evaluate various aspects of separation anxiety, including feelings of distress and worry when separated from significant others or in situations that mimic separation.

Analysis and Use of Data

Scale Structure:

The ASA-27 includes 27 questions related to separation anxiety symptoms. These items measure different dimensions of anxiety associated with separation, such as distress when apart from loved ones, excessive worry about potential separation, and physical symptoms related to separation anxiety.

Participants respond to each item using a Likert scale, which typically ranges from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much).

Data Analysis:

Descriptive Statistics: Compute means, standard deviations, and frequency distributions for the responses to understand the general patterns of separation anxiety severity.

Total Score: The total score is derived from summing the responses of all 27 items. Higher scores indicate more severe separation anxiety.

Subscale Analysis: The ASA-27 may include different subscales, each representing specific aspects of separation anxiety. Analysis of subscale scores helps to identify particular areas of concern.

Use of Data:

Clinical Assessment: Utilized to diagnose and evaluate the severity of separation anxiety in adults. It assists in formulating treatment plans and monitoring progress.

Research: Used in studies to examine the prevalence and impact of separation anxiety in adult populations, and to explore its relationships with other mental health conditions.

Intervention Planning: Informs the development of targeted interventions and therapeutic approaches for managing separation anxiety.

Purpose

The primary goal of the ASA-27 is to provide a reliable and valid measure for assessing the severity of separation anxiety in adults. Specific aims include:

Diagnosis: Helping in the diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder and evaluating the severity of symptoms.

Monitoring: Tracking changes in separation anxiety over time, particularly in response to treatment.

Research: Investigating the prevalence and impact of separation anxiety, and its association with other psychological conditions.

Scoring

The scoring of the ASA-27 involves ensuring the tool’s reliability and validity. Key components include:

Validity Assessment:

Content Validity: Ensures that the items comprehensively cover the symptoms and dimensions of separation anxiety.

Criterion Validity: Examines correlations with other established measures of anxiety and related conditions.

Construct Validity: Ensures that the questionnaire accurately measures the construct of separation anxiety.

Reliability Assessment:

Internal Consistency: Calculated using Cronbach’s alpha to verify the consistency of items within the questionnaire.

Test-Retest Reliability: Assesses the stability of the scores over time with repeated administrations.

References

van Dijk, A., & van der Laan, A. (2009). “The Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27): Development and validation of a new measure for separation anxiety in adults.” Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23(5), 736-745. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2008.12.001

Brumariu, L. E., & Kerns, K. A. (2010). “Parent-child separation anxiety and its association with anxiety and depression in adolescents.” Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 39(3), 348-358. doi: 10.1080/15374410903532663