title: Assessing separation anxiety in Italian youth: preliminary psychometric properties of the Separation Anxiety Assessment Scale.
abstract: This study examined the internal consistency and construct validity of the Separation Anxiety Assessment Scale for Children in a non-clinical Italian sample of 358 children ages 6 to 10 years. Statistically significant differences were examined by sex and age. Two exploratory factor analyses were carried out: (a) on the symptom sub-dimensions which led to three interpretable factors of Fear of Abandonment and of Physical Illness, Fear of Calamitous Events, Fear of Being Alone and (b) on all Separation Anxiety Assessment Scale for Children items, which led to three interpretable factors: Fear of Abandonment and Safety Signals, Fear of Calamitous Events, and Fear of Being Alone and Left Alone. Preliminary findings for validity were described with the Separation Anxiety Symptoms Inventory for Children and the Italian Fear Schedule for Children (convergent validity). Implications regarding the clinical utility of the Separation Anxiety Assessment Scale for Children are discussed.
authors: Department of Human Science and Education, Perugia University, Italy. daphne.chessa@gmail.com
authors: Daphne
authors: D
authors: Chessa
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Di Riso
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Delvecchio
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Lis
mesh_terms: D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires