Abstract
Investigating the empirical support of various assessment instruments, the evidence based assessment approach expands the
scientific basis of psychotherapy. Starting from Hunsley and Mash’s evaluative framework, we critically reviewed the rating
scales designed to measure social anxiety or phobia in youth. Thirteen of the most researched social anxiety scales for children
and adolescents were identified. An overview about the scientific support accumulated by these scales is offered. Our main
results are consistent with recent reviews that consider the Social Phobia and Anxiety Scale for Children (SPAI–C) and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS–A) among the most pertinent and empirically supported measures of social anxiety for youngsters. However, after considering
the existing evidence, we highly recommend another couple of scales that proved to be empirically supported (i.e., the Social Phobia Inventory—SPIN, and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale for Children and Adolescents—LSAS–CA).
scientific basis of psychotherapy. Starting from Hunsley and Mash’s evaluative framework, we critically reviewed the rating
scales designed to measure social anxiety or phobia in youth. Thirteen of the most researched social anxiety scales for children
and adolescents were identified. An overview about the scientific support accumulated by these scales is offered. Our main
results are consistent with recent reviews that consider the Social Phobia and Anxiety Scale for Children (SPAI–C) and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS–A) among the most pertinent and empirically supported measures of social anxiety for youngsters. However, after considering
the existing evidence, we highly recommend another couple of scales that proved to be empirically supported (i.e., the Social Phobia Inventory—SPIN, and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale for Children and Adolescents—LSAS–CA).
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Review Paper
- Pages 1-26
- DOI 10.1007/s10578-012-0297-y
- Authors
- Bogdan T. Tulbure, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Aurora Szentagotai, Department of Psychology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Anca Dobrean, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Daniel David, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development
- Online ISSN 1573-3327
- Print ISSN 0009-398X