Scale Development
The Social Avoidance and Distress Scale was developed by David Watson and Ronald Friend in 1969 and is closely linked to the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE) by the same authors. Scales such as the SADS are most typically used by clinicians to screen for problems or by researchers to track symptoms over time, usually before and after some sort of intervention.
Scale Administration
Each item on the SADS is a statement about some aspect of social anxiety. When answering the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, you must decide whether each statement is true or false for you personally. If the choice is difficult, you are asked to choose the one that is slightly more applicable based on how you feel at the moment. You are also asked to answer based on your first reaction and not spend too long on any item. Below are some sample questions from the SADS. Try answering each of these as true or false depending on which you think applies most to you:
“I feel relaxed even in unfamiliar social situations.““I try to avoid situations that force me to be very sociable.““It is easy for me to relax when I am with strangers.”
Scoring
A total score on the SADS is obtained based on the answers to the true/false questions. Higher scores indicate greater social anxiety. As with any self-report instrument, scores on the SADS need to be interpreted by a mental health professional and followed up with a full diagnostic interview for social anxiety disorder (SAD) when warranted.
Reliability and Validity
Scores on the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale have been shown to correlate moderately well with scores on the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), based on a sample of 206 patients. In student samples, Watson and Friend demonstrated internal consistency reliability of .94 and test-retest reliability of .68. These findings mean that this instrument has both validity (it measures what it is aimed at measuring) and reliability (the items are all measuring the same thing).
SADS for Research and Clinical Use
The SADS may be useful in the assessment of social avoidance among those with social anxiety disorder, both in clinical and research settings. Copyright for the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale is held by the American Psychological Association (APA), as it was originally published in an APA journal. If you are a researcher or clinician and wish to use the SADS, you must complete an APA request form and submit a copy of the instrument as you intend to use it.
A Word From Verywell
If you live with symptoms of social anxiety disorder, it might be tempting to use a self-report measure such as the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale to assess whether your problems might be diagnosed as a social anxiety disorder. Anxiety screenings such as SADS may also be used during doctor’s exams to detect the presence of anxiety symptoms. Only around 20% of people with anxiety seek help for their symptoms, but early detection can lead to quicker treatment and better outcomes. However, while instruments such as the SADS might be helpful in screening for a potential problem, it is only through a diagnostic appointment with a mental health professional that your issues can be properly assessed. If you feel that social anxiety is a problem that is having an impact on your daily life, consider making an appointment to discuss your concerns. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
