VALIDITY ASSESSMENT OF PAKISTANI VERSION OF SOCIAL ANXIETY SCALE FOR ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to estimate the convergent and discriminant validity of Pakistani version of Social Anxiety Scale for adolescents[1] originally developed by La Greca[2].

Place of Study: Karachi.

Sample and Method: For this purpose the sample of 360 adolescent students’ between age ranges of 12 to 19 years were randomly selected.  For convergent validity, the Pakistani version of Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A), Interaction Anxiousness scale and Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation were administered. For discriminant validity, Generalized Self Efficacy Scale was administered in a group.                 

Results: The convergent validity of the Pakistani version of SAS-A was demonstrated via significant correlation (.514, p< .01) with Pakistani version of Interaction Anxiousness Scale[3] originally developed by Leary[4] and significant

correlation (.561, p<.01) with Pakistani version[1] of Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale developed by Leary[2].The discriminant validity of the SAS-A  demonstrated negative correlation (-.476, p<.01) with Urdu version of Generalized Self Efficacy Scale[3] originally developed by Schwarzer and Jerusalem[4].

Conclusion: The Pakistani version of SAS-A shows acceptable psychometric properties and appears to be a valid measure for cross cultural use.