Scale-Description

The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (TLSAS-24) is a tool designed to assess social anxiety disorder (Social Anxiety Disorder) in adults and adolescents. It consists of 24 items that evaluate two main aspects of social anxiety: the intensity of fear in social situations and the impact of fear on daily functioning.

Data Analysis and Use

Data Analysis:
Data Collection: Participants respond to 24 items, divided into two main sections: assessing fear and avoidance in social situations.
Scoring: Each item is rated on a scale of 0-3 (or 0-4, depending on the version of the scale), with the total score calculated by summing the individual item scores.
Score Analysis: Scores are used to assess the level of social anxiety and its impact on the individual’s functioning. Higher scores generally indicate more severe social anxiety symptoms.
Use of Data:
Diagnosis: Assists in categorizing the severity of social anxiety.
Monitoring Progress: Evaluates the effectiveness of treatments and interventions.
Research: Studies the causes, effects, and intervention strategies for social anxiety.

Purpose

The primary goal of the TLSAS-24 is to provide an accurate measure of social anxiety and its impact on individuals’ lives. The scale aims to identify areas of social interaction that cause anxiety and assess how anxiety affects the individual’s daily functioning.

Scoring

Internal Consistency: The TLSAS-24 has high reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha values around 0.90, indicating good internal consistency and reliability of the scale items.
Validity: The scale has been validated through comparative studies with other social anxiety scales and clinical assessments. It demonstrates good validity for detecting social anxiety and evaluating its severity.
Test-Retest Reliability: The TLSAS-24 shows good test-retest reliability, with high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), indicating that scores are stable over repeated assessments.

Bibliography

Liebowitz, M. R. (1987). Social Phobia. In Modern Problems in Pharmacopsychiatry, Vol. 22, pp. 141-173.
Liebowitz, M. R. (1987). The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 10(3), 663-670.
Fresco, D. M., et al. (2001). The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale: A Comparison of the Revised and Original Versions. Psychiatry Research, 106(2), 169-184.