Psychometric properties of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) in Mainland Chinese children and adolescents

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) in a Mainland Chinese community sample. The 38-item Chinese version of SCAS was administered to 1878 children and adolescents. Multiple group confirmatory factor analyses supported a common 6-factor model of SCAS for children and adolescents, and for boys and girls. The internal consistency and test–retest reliability of SCAS were satisfactory. Convergent and divergent validity of SCAS were supported by significant correlations with a measure of anxiety to a greater extent than with a measure of depression. Adolescents reported higher anxiety levels than children, and girls reported higher anxiety levels than boys. Compared to other studies, anxiety symptoms of Chinese children were found at a moderate level, but anxiety symptoms of Chinese adolescents were found at a high level. Our findings suggest that the SCAS is suitable for assessing anxiety symptoms in Mainland Chinese children and adolescents.

► This study examined the psychometrics of SCAS in Mainland Chinese community samples.
► The six-factor structure of SCAS had an adequate fit across age and gender groups.
► The reliability and validity of the SCAS were satisfactory.
► Significant age and gender differences existed in SCAS scores.
► Chinese adolescents showed a higher anxiety level as compared to other studies.