Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate symptoms of social anxiety and the psychometric properties of the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A) among Finnish adolescents, 13–16 years of age. Study 1 (n = 867) examined the distribution of SAS-A scores according
to gender and age, and the internal consistency and factor structure of the SAS-A. In a subsample (n = 563; Study 2) concurrent
and discriminant validity of the SAS-A were examined relative to the Social Phobia Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory.
Test–retest stability was examined over a 30-month period by repeated measures every 6 months in another subsample (n = 377;
Study 3). Results mostly revealed no gender differences in social anxiety, except that boys reported more general social avoidance
and distress than girls. Older adolescents (14–16-year-olds) reported higher social anxiety than younger adolescents (12–13-year-olds).
Internal consistency for the SAS-A was acceptable for both genders and for all three SAS-A subscales. Confirmatory factor
analysis replicated the original 18-item three-factor structure of the SAS-A, accounting for 61% of the variance between items.
Evidence for concurrent and discriminant validity was found. Test–retest stability over 6 months was satisfactory. Results
support the reliability and validity of the Finnish adaptation of the SAS-A, and further indicate that gender differences
in adolescents’ social anxiety may vary across Western countries.
to gender and age, and the internal consistency and factor structure of the SAS-A. In a subsample (n = 563; Study 2) concurrent
and discriminant validity of the SAS-A were examined relative to the Social Phobia Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory.
Test–retest stability was examined over a 30-month period by repeated measures every 6 months in another subsample (n = 377;
Study 3). Results mostly revealed no gender differences in social anxiety, except that boys reported more general social avoidance
and distress than girls. Older adolescents (14–16-year-olds) reported higher social anxiety than younger adolescents (12–13-year-olds).
Internal consistency for the SAS-A was acceptable for both genders and for all three SAS-A subscales. Confirmatory factor
analysis replicated the original 18-item three-factor structure of the SAS-A, accounting for 61% of the variance between items.
Evidence for concurrent and discriminant validity was found. Test–retest stability over 6 months was satisfactory. Results
support the reliability and validity of the Finnish adaptation of the SAS-A, and further indicate that gender differences
in adolescents’ social anxiety may vary across Western countries.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s10578-012-0285-2
- Authors
- Klaus Ranta, Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Box 2000, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland
- Niina Junttila, Department of Teacher Education, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Eero Laakkonen, Department of Teacher Education, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Anni Uhmavaara, Department of Teacher Education, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Annette M. La Greca, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Päivi M. Niemi, Department of Teacher Education, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development
- Online ISSN 1573-3327
- Print ISSN 0009-398X