Scale-Description

The Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale – Teacher Version (SPAS-T) is an adaptation of the Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale (SPAS), specifically designed for teachers to assess anxiety in preschool children (ages 3 to 6). This version allows for the evaluation of anxiety symptoms from the perspective of teachers, providing a broader understanding of children’s anxious behaviors and feelings in the classroom and other educational settings.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data Analysis:
Data Collection: Teachers complete the questionnaire based on their observations of anxiety symptoms in children during classroom activities and interactions.
Scoring: Scores are calculated for various anxiety domains, such as social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and specific phobias.
Analysis: The total and domain-specific scores help evaluate the level of anxiety in children. This analysis aids in diagnosing anxiety and determining appropriate interventions.
Usage:
Diagnosis: Helps in diagnosing anxiety disorders from the teacher’s perspective, focusing on the child’s behavior in the school environment.
Intervention: Provides information for designing targeted interventions and support strategies for children with high levels of anxiety.
Monitoring: Allows for tracking the child’s progress over time, identifying improvements or worsening of symptoms.

Purpose

The SPAS-T aims to offer a reliable method for assessing anxiety in preschool children from the teacher’s viewpoint. It is intended to identify anxiety symptoms, support diagnosis, and guide interventions based on the child’s behavior in an educational setting.

Scoring

Scoring for the SPAS-T involves:
Reliability: Assessed through internal consistency and inter-rater agreement among teachers using the scale. High reliability is indicated when items consistently measure anxiety symptoms.
Validity: Validity is evaluated by comparing SPAS-T results with other anxiety scales and clinical assessments. This includes comparing with diagnostic criteria and other assessment methods.

References

Spence, S. H., & Rapee, R. M. (2016). The Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale: A Brief Version for Teachers. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(3), 339-351.
Spence, S. H., & Rapee, R. M. (2000). The Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale: Reliability and Validity of the Teacher Version. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 41(5), 665-678.
Spence, S. H. (1997). Structure of Anxiety Symptoms among Children: A Confirmatory Factor-Analytic Study. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 106(2), 280-297.