Scale-Description

The Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS-44) is a self-assessment tool designed to evaluate anxiety in children and adolescents aged 8-16 years. The SCAS-44 includes 44 items that cover various types of anxiety, such as social anxiety, generalized anxiety, performance anxiety, and separation anxiety.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data analysis from the SCAS-44 involves collecting and evaluating responses to the questionnaire items. Each item is typically rated on a Likert scale, usually from 0 (never) to 3 (always), to measure the frequency or severity of anxiety symptoms.
Data Usage:
Data Collection: Children complete the questionnaire by answering questions based on their experiences.
Score Calculation: Scores for each item are summed to produce a total anxiety score. There are also calculations for specific types of anxiety (e.g., social anxiety, generalized anxiety).
Score Analysis: Analysis involves evaluating both total and subscale scores to understand the intensity and nature of the anxiety experienced by the child.
Analysis includes statistical evaluation of the scale’s reliability (e.g., internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha) and validity (e.g., comparative studies with other anxiety scales).

Purpose

The primary goal of the SCAS-44 is to provide a reliable and accurate method for assessing anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. The tool aims to understand the level and type of anxiety experienced by the child, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Calibration

The calibration of the SCAS-44 involves validating the scale through reliability and validity assessments:
Internal Consistency: Checked using Cronbach’s alpha to ensure that the questionnaire items are well correlated.
Validity: Includes comparisons with other anxiety scales and clinical assessments to confirm that the SCAS-44 effectively measures anxiety.

References

Spence, S. H. (1997). Structure of anxiety symptoms among children: A confirmatory factor-analytic study. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 106(2), 280-297.
Spence, S. H., & Barrett, P. M. (2000). Assessment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents using the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 3(4), 233-256.
Spence, S. H., & Rapee, R. M. (2016). The Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS): A review and update. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 19(3), 255-267.