The Indonesian Version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale - Self Report (LSAS-SR-Indonesia): Psychometric Evaluation and Analysis Related to Gender and Age

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Indonesian version of LSAS-SR (LSAS-SR-Indonesia), and determine the analysis related to gender and age. Background: A previous study reported that social anxiety exists in Indonesia. The psychometric properties of the instruments were not reported because it was not the focus of the study. Further studies were recommended, and it was necessary to develop an instrument for social anxiety in Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia). The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) is one of the most frequently used scales for assessing social anxiety. The psychometric properties of LSAS-SR-Indonesia must be assessed so that the instrument can be more properly used. Objective: This study examined the psychometric properties of LSAS-SR-Indonesia, including internal consistency and item discrimination, as well as validity (convergent, internal structure, factorial, and content). In addition to the psychometric properties, this study analyzed its correlation to gender and age. Methods: A total of 2074 participants from the general population were involved in the current cross-sectional study applying multi-stage cluster sampling. They lived in seven big cities in Indonesia, representing the major ethnic groups, i.e., Bandung, Denpasar, Banjarmasin, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Padang and Medan. The participants were 16-38 years old, and 73% of them were female. The internal consistency was analyzed using a coefficient of Cronbach’s alpha, and the item discrimination was examined by calculating the corrected item-total correlation. Convergent validity was analyzed using the correlation with the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE) and the Taijin Kyofusho Scale (TKS) using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Internal structure validity was examined using Pearson Product Moment Correlation between LSAS subscales (LSAS Fear and LSAS Avoidance) and their subscales (LSAS Fear Performance, LSAS Avoidance Performance, LSAS Fear Social Interaction, LSAS Avoidance Social Interaction). Factorial validity was used to analyze construct validity using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Content validity was carried out using the evaluation of an expert panel. The analysis of gender and age was performed using factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA). All the statistical analysis was performed using the computer programs SPSS v.21 and LISREL v.10.3. Results: The LSAS-SR-Indonesia has good internal consistency. The majority of items demonstrate good discrimination. A good convergent validity is found in the total score and the two subscales. The internal structure is empirically proved. All factor models fit the data, and RMSEA, RMR, NNFI, CFI, and AGFI are in the fit range. The CFA demonstrates that all items in all models have a significant loading factor of 5%. The result of the content validity shows a high degree of relevance and representativeness, with an agreement of 60-100%. There are significant differences both in fear and avoidance across gender. However, there are no significant differences in fear and avoidance across ages. Conclusion: The LSAS-SR-Indonesia is a reliable and valid instrument to assess social anxiety symptoms in Indonesia. It can be used to identify and assist in the preparation for promotion and intervention programs to prevent the development of the symptoms.