Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) amongst Nairobi Public Secondary School Children; Kenya

ABSTRACT

Background: There are few psychometric instruments whose properties have been studied in a developing country's context. Aim: To determine the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) in Nairobi public secondary school children; Kenya. Method: Concurrent self-administration of the MASC and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) to students in Nairobi public secondary schools. Results: The MASC had a high overall internal consistency alpha co-efficient (0.85) in the Kenyan sample; which is similar to Western findings; and is hence a reliable tool for measuring anxiety in the study population. It was also similar to the findings from two Western studies in the anxiety domains of physical symptoms; social anxiety; separation anxiety and harm avoidance. The correlation co-efficient with CDI was similar to Scandinavian findings. Conclusion: The MASC can be used in Kenyan children and; by extension; other Africa children