Psychometric Update of the Social Anxiety Screening Scale (SASS/EDAS) in a Spanish Adolescent Population

Abstract

The aim of this work was to update the validation of the Social Anxiety Screening Scale (SASS/EDAS) in a sample of Spanish adolescents. To achieve this, one study with a sample of 1489 students in secondary education, of ages 14 to 17 years, were carried out. The psychometric properties of EDAS were examined through confirmatory factor analysis, reliability (Cronbach's alpha), temporal stability (test-retest), and concurrent criterion validity. The results supported the three-independent-factor structure (avoidance, distress and interference), that showed best fit indices compared to alternative models. They also showed that the scores of participants on EDAS scales were reliable in terms of internal consistency (α > .80) and moderately reliable concerning temporal stability (r= .48-.60) over a five-week period. The correlations between the EDAS factors and other social anxiety measures were positive and significant. Data provide empirical evidence of the estimation of reliability and validity of this scale. Future work should extend the validation of the EDAS in clinical samples.

Screening Utility of the Social Anxiety Screening Scale in Spanish Speaking Adolescents

“…These results indicate alpha coefficients above the recommended value of .70 by Nunnally (1978) or .60 for reliable self-report instruments (Holmbeck et al, 2008). In addition, they are consistent with prior studies, showing values between .80 and .89 for EDAS scales (Olivares et al, 2004;Piqueras, Olivares, Hidalgo et al, 2011;Piqueras, Olivares, Vera-Villarroel et al, 2012;Vera-Villarroel et al, 2007). They are also comparable to those reported for other well-established self-reports that assess adolescent SAD (for example: SPAI, SPAI-B, SPAI-C, LSAS-CA, SPIN, SAS-A, etc.).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that this measure has a three-factor structure: Avoidance, Distress and Interference (Piqueras, Olivares, Hidalgo, Vera-Villarroel, & Marzo, 2011;Piqueras, Olivares, Vera-Villarroel, Marzo, & Kuhne, 2012;Vera-Villarroel, et al, 2007). All these studies have indicated that the alpha values of internal consistency of the three subscales are above .76; the scores are temporally reliable (.48-.60) and are associated significantly with other wellestablished measures, such as the SPAI and the SAS-A, with values between .50 and .76 (Olivares et al, 2004;Piqueras, Olivares, Hidalgo et al, 2011; SOCIAL ANXIETY SCREENING Piqueras, Olivares, Vera-Villarroel et al, 2012;Vera-Villarroel et al, 2007).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that this measure has a three-factor structure: Avoidance, Distress and Interference (Piqueras, Olivares, Hidalgo, Vera-Villarroel, & Marzo, 2011;Piqueras, Olivares, Vera-Villarroel, Marzo, & Kuhne, 2012;Vera-Villarroel, et al, 2007). All these studies have indicated that the alpha values of internal consistency of the three subscales are above .76; the scores are temporally reliable (.48-.60) and are associated significantly with other wellestablished measures, such as the SPAI and the SAS-A, with values between .50 and .76 (Olivares et al, 2004;Piqueras, Olivares, Hidalgo et al, 2011; SOCIAL ANXIETY SCREENING Piqueras, Olivares, Vera-Villarroel et al, 2012;Vera-Villarroel et al, 2007). These same studies have indicated the following as the main potential applications of this test: (a) screening measure for identifying adolescents with social anxiety problems; (b) a counselling tool for adolescents; (c) to help select the target areas for treatment and to be useful for assessing the therapeutic change in treatment or prevention programs in a wide variety of clinical, educational and research contexts.…”

“…Social Anxiety Screening Scale (SASS/EDAS; Olivares et al, 2004). Although it was explained in the introduction, a broader description of its construction can be consulted in Olivares et al (2004) and Piqueras, Olivares, Hidalgo et al (2011), respectively. A copy of the original instrument in Spanish and English is attached in the Appendix section.…”

Social Anxiety and Phobia in Adolescents

“…This measure consists of 10 items: 2 are dichotomous and the remaining 8 have threeindependent-factor structure (avoidance, distress, and interference). Validation of the scale is limited to Hispanic populations Olivares et al 2004b ;Piqueras et al 2011Piqueras et al , 2012bVera-Villarroel et al 2007 ).…”