The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS): Psychometric Properties of the Amharic Version in Ethiopian University Student Sample

Abstract

The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) assesses the fear and avoidance associated with social anxiety and has been validated in several languages. The present study describes the adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Amharic version of the LSAS in Ethiopian university student samples. Two studies were carried out. In the first study, 429 participants completed a survey, including demographic information, and the Amharic version of the LSAS. In the second study, 32 participants completed a survey comprising demographic information and the Amharic version of the LSAS. The participants were recruited using a convenience sampling method. The findings suggest a twofactor solution (CFI = 0.92, TLI = 0.92, and RMSEA = 0.06) consistent with the original factor structure and excellent reliability coefficient. Finally, the Amharic version of the LSAS can demonstrate good sensitivity to treatments (solution-focused and social skills training groups) in a nonclinical sample of university students in Ethiopia. Taken together, the present findings indicate that the LSAS is a suitable psychometric measure to assess social anxiety in Ethiopia.