Social Avoidance and Distress Scale – SADS
Measures distress in social situations and the avoidance of social interactions.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Social Avoidance and Distress Scale – SADS was developed by Watson, D., & Friend, R. (1969). It is designed to measure Social avoidance and distress. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 28 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Social Distress, Social Avoidance.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Social Distress | 1,3,5,6,7,10,11,12,14,15,16,20,23,28 | 14 |
| Social Avoidance | 2,4,8,9,13,17,18,19,21,22,24,25,26,27 | 14 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a dichotomous True/False format.
The scale includes 16 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 28. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low: 0 – 1
- Average: 2 – 11
- High: 12 – 28
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.