Scale Overview
The Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale – SCAS was developed by Susan H. Spence (1998). It is designed to measure Childhood Anxiety. The scale is intended for use with Children (8-12 years).
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 5 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Separation Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, Filler.
| Factor / Subscale |
Items |
N |
| Separation Anxiety |
2,3 |
2 |
| Obsessive-Compulsive |
4,5 |
2 |
| Filler |
1 |
1 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Always.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 100. Interpretation guidelines:
- Normal (T-score below 60): 0 – 59
- Elevated / Sub-clinical (T-score of 60 or above): 60 – 100
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.92.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.