The Child Anxiety Impact Scale: Examining Parent- and Child-Reported Impairment in Child Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the factor structure, reliability, and construct validity of both the Child and Parent version of the Child Anxiety Impact Scale (CAIS) using data obtained from the Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Study (Walkup et al., 2008). The CAIS child and parent versions measure anxiety-related functional impairment in school, social, and family domains. Participants were 488 children ages 7 to 17 (M age = 10.7, SD = 2.8 years) enrolled as part of the CAMS study across 6 sites and their primary parent or caregiver. Families participated in a structured diagnostic interview and then completed the CAIS along with other measures. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the a priori three-factor structure (school, social, and home/family) for the CAIS parent- and CAIS child-report was a reasonable fit, with a comparative fit index of .88 and root mean square error of approximation of .05. Internal consistency was very good for total score and subscales of both versions of the scale (Cronbach's α = .70–.90). The CAIS total scores demonstrated good construct validity, showing predicted significant correlations with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Internalizing Scale, the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) Total Scores, the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale, and the Children's Global Assessment Scale. In addition, CAIS Social and School subscales were significantly related to similar subscales on the CBCL, SCARED, and MASC. The results provide support that the CAIS is a reliable and valid measure for the assessment of the impact of anxiety on child and adolescent functioning.

Notes

Note: CAIS = Child Anxiety Impact Scale.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Note: CAIS = Child Anxiety Impact Scale.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Note: CAIS = Child Anxiety Impact Scale.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Note: CAIS = Child Anxiety Impact Scale.

***p < .0001.

Note: Percentage of item endorsement is presented for items rated as 2 or more (which specifies “pretty much” or “very much” interference). The item-total correlations were corrected to eliminate the target item from the total score for each scale. CAIS = Child Anxiety Impact Scale.

Note: Percentage of item endorsement is presented for items rated as 2 or more (which specifies “pretty much” or “very much” interference). The item-total correlations were corrected to eliminate the target item from the total score for each scale.

Note: Percentage of item endorsement is presented for items rated as 2 or more (which specifies “pretty much” or “very much” interference). The item-total correlations were corrected to eliminate the target item from the total score for each scale.

Note: Percentage of item endorsement is presented for items rated as 2 or more (which specifies “pretty much” or “very much” interference). The item-total correlations were corrected to eliminate the target item from the total score for each scale.

Note: Percentage of item endorsement is presented for items rated as 2 or more (which specifies “pretty much” or “very much” interference). The item-total correlations were corrected to eliminate the target item from the total score for each scale.

Note: Percentage of item endorsement is presented for items rated as 2 or more (which specifies “pretty much” or “very much” interference). The item-total correlations were corrected to eliminate the target item from the total score for each scale.

Note: MASC = Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children; CBCL = Child Behavior Checklist; SCARED = Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders; PARS = Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale; CGAS = Children's Global Assessment Scale.

Note: SES = socioeconomic status; CBCL = Child Behavior Checklist; MASC = Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children; SCARED = Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders.

*p < .004 noted as statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for 13 correlational tests. **p < .0001.

Note: PARS = Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale; CGAS = Children's Global Assessment Scale; CAIS = Child Anxiety Impact Scale.

*p < .004 noted as statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for 13 correlational tests. **p < .0001.

Note: MASC = Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children; SCARED = Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders; CBCL = Child Behavior Checklist; CAIS = Child Anxiety Impact Scale.

*p < .004 noted as statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for 13 correlational tests. **p < .0001.