Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)

The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) is a method of measuring levels of anxiety in
patients who have anxiety-related symptoms. The scale focuses on the most common general
anxiety disorders; coping with stress typically causes anxiety.

The SAS test is self-administered, with each response using a 4-point scale, from ‘none of the
time” to “most of the time.” There are 20 questions with 15 increasing anxiety level questions and
5 decreasing anxiety questions. There are two formats, self-evaluations and clinical evaluations.

Author

William W. K. Zung

Validity and Reliability

Sylvia Ramirez and James Lukenbill analyzed the psychometric properties of an adaptation of
Zung’s scale for adults with intellectual disabilities (SAS-ID) by Lindsay and Mickie (1988). The
SAS-ID was given to 136 adults with intellectual disabilities and to 96 caregivers. The internal
consistency reliability coefficient was .80 and the correlation rating with the Fear Survey for
Adults with Mental Retardation was 0.40, .44 with the PIMRA Anxiety Subscale, and 0.30 with
the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale. Zung used a sample of 225 psychiatric patients and 343
nonpatients, measuring the correlation between self-administered and clinic-administered version
of the SAS test — .66 overall and .74 for patients.

Obtaining the scale

Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)

purchase a copy of the originating 1971 article from Psychosomatics: The Journal of Consultation
and Liaison Psychiatry

If you need assistance with this survey instrument once purchased or obtained…

Statistics Solutions consists of a team of professional methodologists and statisticians that can
assist the student or professional researcher in administering the survey instrument, collecting the
data, conducting the analyses and explaining the results.
For additional information on these services, click here.

References

William W.K. Zung. A rating instrument for anxiety disorders. Psychosomatics. 1971

Ramirez, S., Lukenbill, J. (2008). Psychometric Properties of the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale
for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities (SAS-ID). Journal of Developmental and Physical
Disabilities, Vol. 20, No. 6., pp. 573-580.

For more information see the Psychology Wikia’s page on the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale:
http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Zung_Self -Rating_Anxiety_Scale

Zung Self-Rating Anxiety

Scale (SAS)

For each item below, please place a check mark () in the column which best describes how often
you felt or behaved this way during the past several days. Bring the completed form with you to the
office for scoring and assessment during your office visit.

A little of Some of Good part Most

Place check mark () in correct column.
the time the time of the time of the
time
1 I feel more nervous and anxious than usual.

2 I feel afraid for no reason at all.

3 I get upset easily or feel panicky.

4 I feel like I'm falling apart and going to pieces.

5 I feel that everything is all right and nothing bad will happen.

6 My arms and legs shake and tremble.

7 I am bothered by headaches neck and back pain.

8 I feel weak and get tired easily.

9 I feel calm and can sit still easily.

10 I can feel my heart beating fast.

11 I am bothered by dizzy spells.

12 I have fainting spells or feel like it.

13 I can breathe in and out easily.

14 I get feelings of numbness and tingling in my fingers & toes.

15 I am bothered by stomach aches or indigestion.

16 I have to empty my bladder often.

17 My hands are usually dry and warm.

18 My face gets hot and blushes.

19 I fall asleep easily and get a good night's rest.

20 I have nightmares.

Source: William W.K. Zung. A rating instrument for anxiety disorders. Psychosomatics. 1971