An advanced self-assessment instrument for anxiety in adolescence (14–19 years)
EMAS-SAS is the self-assessment form of the multidimensional scales developed by Endler and colleagues, designed to capture the complexity of anxious experience in a differentiated way and with a high degree of clinical sensitivity. Intended for adolescents aged 14 to 19, the instrument allows a fine-grained understanding of how they perceive, experience and express anxiety across different contexts, with direct relevance to their affective and behavioural profile.
Theoretical basis
EMAS-SAS is built on the interactionist model of anxiety, according to which the anxious response is not a monolithic construct but the result of an interaction between stable personality traits and the characteristics of the specific situation. What matters is therefore not only predisposition, but also the type of situation perceived as threatening and the predominant form of reaction (cognitive, physiological, motor).
What does EMAS-SAS assess?
The instrument makes it possible to identify:
- the overall level of trait anxiety, independent of context;
- the intensity of the anxious reaction in specific situations (failure, social evaluation, uncertainty);
- the predominant style of reaction – cognitive (rumination, negative anticipation), somatic (tension, fatigue, pain) or behavioural (avoidance, motor restlessness).
The resulting scores outline a differentiated anxiety profile, useful in analysing coping mechanisms, maintaining factors and the risk of affective comorbidity.
Clinical usefulness
EMAS-SAS is particularly valuable in:
- assessing adolescents with performance anxiety, social anxiety or recurrent somatic symptoms;
- shaping the psychotherapeutic intervention, by adapting techniques to the individual anxiety profile;
- monitoring the course of symptoms during intervention;
- distinguishing reactive (situational) anxiety from generalised anxiety.
Format and administration
The questionnaire consists of standardised items scaled across several dimensions, which can be completed in a single session. Interpretation is carried out exclusively by a clinical psychologist, in relation to the adolescent’s history and collateral data.
How it works in practice
Psychometric instruments are not used in isolation. At the practice, a test forms part of a complete psychological assessment: clinical interview, choice of the instruments suited to your question, interpretation, a written report and a session in which I explain the results in language you can go on using.
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Cabinet Individual de Psihologie Ileana Vlad · Corbeanca, Ilfov · 0753 453 262