SINHA’S COMPREHENSIVE ANXIETY TEST

(SCAT)

AIM: To assess the anxiety level of the subject using Sinha’s Comprehensive Anxiety Test.

BASIC CONCEPT:

The term anxiety can be defined as a diffuse, vague, very unpleasant feeling of fear and
apprehension. Anxiety is increased arousal accompanied by feelings of fear & apprehension. If such
feelings persist for a long period of time they can produce harmful effects. In Freudian theory,
anxiety is an unpleasant feeling of tension experienced by individuals in reaction to unpleasant
wishes or impulses. Some anxieties are normal or appropriate. They prompt one to take useful
actions; it can even motivate us to do our task well. High levels of anxiety can be distressing and
interfere with the effective functioning of the individual indicating the presence of anxiety disorder-
the most common category of psychological disorders.

Some of the Symptoms of anxious individuals are:

Increase in heart rate, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, fainting, sweating, sleeplessness,
palpitation, dizziness, diarrhea, frequent urination and tremors.

According to Freud there are three types of anxieties:

1. Neurotic: This occurs due to id and ego conflict.

2. Moral: This occurs due to conflict of id and superego.

3. Objective: This occurs due to real external threats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST:

A.K.P Sinha and L.N.K Sinha found that existing anxiety tests do not cover certain facets of anxiety.
There also was a good deal of agreement and confusion concerning concepts of anxiety. They
developed a comprehensive test on anxiety incorporating a variety of anxiety indices proposed by
different investigators from time to time, keeping in view the conditions available in this country. The
test has been designed to elicit self-rating on items descriptive of anxiety reactions to following
areas:

1. Health Apprehension & Injury

2. Area of Ambition

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3. Family Anxiety

4. Anxiety involving Love & Friendship

5. Worries regarding Civilization, War, Virtues

6. Worries regarding Future

7. Guilt & Shame

8. Physiological & Physical manifestations

9. Psychological

The test consists of 90 Yes/No type of questions. It can be administered to individuals of 19-24 years
of age.

RELIABILITY:

The test-retest reliability coefficient yielded a coefficient of 0.85 and the split half reliability was
found to be 0.92.

VALIDITY:

Between SCAT and Taylor’s Manifest Anxiety Scale was found to be 0.62.

NORMS:

Percentile norms are provided in the manual in Table 1 for boys & Table 2 for girls separately.

METHODOLOGY:

PRELIMINARIES:

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Place of conduction: Psychology Laboratory.

General condition of the subject: Fresh & cooperative.

MATERIALS REQUIRED: SCAT questionnaire, manual, pencil and eraser.

PRECAUTIONS:

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1. The subject must be assured of confidentiality of test results.

2. A well-lit & quiet room should be provided.

3. The aim of the test should not be disclosed.

4. Subject must be told not to leave any question unchecked and answer all the questions.

5. The tester should ensure that the subject does not linger too much on a particular question.

RAPPORT FORMATION:

“Good morning, my name is XYZ. Relax, feel comfortable. Let me assure you that there is nothing for
you to feel nervous or anxious about. This is a very simple test. That will help you to gain insight into
your own behavior i.e. the way you think, feel and act in different situations. Please do not hesitate in
clarifying your doubts. Your test results will be kept strictly confidential and be made available to a
third person only after your knowledge and consent.”

INSTRUCTIONS:

“Some statements are given in the next pages and they are concerned with your behavior and
temperament. Against each statement two alternate responses are provided in “Yes” and “No” form
of cell. You have to read each question and put your views by making a cross (X) on either cell below
the “Yes” or “No” response. There are no right or wrong statements; these are designed only to study
your reactions to different situations. Please reply to all the statements without hesitation as your
response will be kept confidential. Although there is no time limit, still be quick in your work. Usually
an individual takes 15-20 minutes in completing the test form. Have you understood, shall we begin?”

CONDUCTION:

The subject was comfortably seated in the laboratory, rapport was established and instructions were
read. The subject was informed that their performance in the test will in no way effect their
achievements nor their image in the school nor with the parents. These results in no case will be
given to the parents, teachers or the heads of institutions. The subject was told that questionnaire
contained certain questions to which he/she had to answer Yes, No. No time limit was set and the
subject was asked not to leave any question unanswered. After the subject had completed the test,
an introspective report was taken.

SCORING:

The inventory has been designed for hand scoring. For any response indicated as ‘Yes’, the testee
should be awarded a score of ‘one’, and ‘zero’ for ‘No’. The sum of all the positive or yes responses will
be the total anxiety score of the individual.

INTROSPECTIVE REPORT:

DATA: Attached on the facing page.

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DATA TABLE: showing raw scores and equivalent percentile of the subject.

PAGES 2 3 4 TOTAL

RAW SCORES

PERCENTILE:

CATEGORY:

RESULT:

The raw score obtained by the subject is ______ the corresponding percentile is _____.

INTERPRETATION:

The aim of the test was to assess the anxiety level of the subject. The term anxiety refers to a diffuse,
vague, very unpleasant feeling of fear and apprehension. Anxiety is increased arousal accompanied
by feelings of fear & apprehension. If such feelings persist for a long period of time they can produce
harmful effects.

The subject was found to …..

CONCLUSION:

Using the SCAT it has been observed that the subject was found to have _____________ anxiety level.