Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM-5 Separation Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale–child form

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the DSM-5 Separation Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale–Child Form. METHODS: The scale was prepared by carrying out translation and back-translation of the DSM-5 Separation Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale–Child Form. The study group consisted of 41 patients who had been treated in a child psychiatry unit and diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder and 100 healthy volunteers who were attending middle or high school during the study period. For the assessment, Screen for Childhood Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) was also used, along with the DSM-5 Separation Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale–Child Form. RESULTS: The Cronbach alpha internal consistency coefficient was calculated as 0.932, while the item–total score correlation coefficients were between 0.400 and 0.874. One factor that could explain 63% of the variance was obtained. The scale showed a medium correlation with SCARED. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated as 0.898. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the Turkish version of DSM-5 Separation Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale–Child Form could be used as a valid and reliable tool both in clinical practice and for research purposes.