Scale-Description

The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders – Parent Version (SCARED-P-41) is an assessment tool designed to identify emotional and anxiety-related problems in children, based on parental observations. Comprising 41 items, it is used by parents to report on their child’s behavior and symptoms to detect potential anxiety or emotional disorders.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data Analysis: The analysis of data from the SCARED-P-41 involves evaluating the responses provided by parents regarding their child’s behavior and emotional issues. Each question is typically rated on a Likert scale (e.g., from 0 “never” to 2 “very often”), where parents indicate the frequency with which they observe symptoms in their child.
Data Collection: Parents complete the SCARED-P-41, providing responses to questions about their child’s symptoms.
Score Calculation: Scores for each question are summed to produce a total score. Certain scales may have specific weights for symptom severity.
Score Analysis: The total score and subscale scores help assess the severity of anxiety and emotional problems. This analysis can guide clinical decisions and identify specific areas of concern.
The analysis also includes evaluating the scale’s reliability (e.g., internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha) and its validity (e.g., comparisons with other anxiety scales or psychological disorders).

Purpose

The primary objective of the SCARED-P-41 is to provide an accurate assessment of a child’s emotional and anxiety state from the perspective of the parents. The tool aims to facilitate early detection of potential anxiety disorders, aiding in the management and treatment of the child’s emotional issues.

Calibration

The calibration of the SCARED-P-41 involves validating the scale through reliability and validity assessments:
Internal Consistency: Evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha to ensure that the scale items are consistent and measure the same construct of anxiety.
Validity: Includes comparisons with other anxiety and emotional disorder scales, as well as assessments of the clinical usefulness of the scale.

References

Birmaher, B., Brent, D. A., & Baugher, M. (1997). Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED): A Reliability and Validity Study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(4), 545-553.
Birmaher, B., Brent, D. A., & Chiappetta, L. (2004). The SCARED-P: A Parent Version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 33(4), 1031-1042.
Pine, D. S., Cohen, P., & Brook, J. S. (1999). Psychometric Properties of the SCARED in Children and Adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 60(3), 469-474.