Psychometric properties of the Spence Child Anxiety Scale with adolescents from five European countries

This study examined the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the original Spence Child Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and its four translations (German, Cypriot Greek, Swedish, Italian). A total of 2558 adolescents from five European countries (Germany = 495; Cyprus = 611; UK = 469; Sweden = 484; Italy = 499), ages 12–17 years, participated in the study. In addition to the SCAS, all participants completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, a measure of general difficulties and positive attributes. The internal consistency and validity (convergent and discriminant) of the SCAS were excellent. Multiple group confirmatory factor analysis provided strong support for the generalizability of a 6-factor inter-correlated model across five European countries. Adolescents in the UK had significantly higher anxiety levels than adolescents in four other European countries. Our findings suggest that the SCAS is suitable for assessing anxiety disorder symptoms in adolescents in Germany, the UK, Cyprus, Sweden, and in Italy.

Research highlights▶ The internal consistency and validity of the SCAS were excellent. ▶ The findings supported the generalizability of a 6-factor inter-correlated model across five European countries. ▶ Adolescents in the UK had significantly higher anxiety levels than adolescents in four other European countries. ▶ The SCAS is suitable for assessing anxiety disorder symptoms in adolescents in Germany, the UK, Cyprus, Sweden, and in Italy.