Cybervictimization, Self-Concept, Aggressiveness, and School Anxiety in School Children: A Structural Equations Analysis.

The rapid increase in cases of cybervictimization amongst children has led researchers to examine the psychoemotional factors related to cyberbullying behavior, in an attempt to prevent and minimize its impact. The objective of this study was to establish and contrast the fit of an explanatory model on cybervictimization based on its relationship with self-concept, aggressiveness, and school anxiety using a structural equations analysis. A total of 542 Spanish students aged 10-12 (M age = 10.97; SD = 0.74) completed a battery of questionnaires. An adjusted structural equations model was obtained (χ2 = 512.23; df = 99; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.928; NFI = 0.91; IFI = 0.928; RMSEA = 0.078). A direct and negative relationship was obtained between cybervictimization and self-concept and between cybervictimization and school anxiety. In addition, a direct and positive relationship was found between aggressiveness and self-concept and between aggressiveness and school anxiety. Indirect relationships were not found between the variables. The study's findings demonstrate that the variables of self-concept and school anxiety are directly related to cybervictimization and that the improved psychoemotional adjustment of the youngest students may help to prevent the risk of being victimized over the Internet.

Cyberbullying and Social Anxiety: A Latent Class Analysis among Spanish Adolescents.

Cyberbullying is a common social maladjustment that has negative repercussions on the wellbeing and development of adolescents, but numerous questions remain as to the relationship between cyberbullying and social anxiety in adolescence. This study analyzes cyberbullying profiles (screening of harassment among peers) and assesses whether these profiles vary with respect to the level of social anxiety (social anxiety scale for adolescents). The sample consisted of 1412 Spanish secondary education students aged 12 to 18 (M = 14.36, SD = 1.65). Latent class analysis and ANOVA were performed. Analyses revealed three profiles: high cyberbullying (high victimization, aggression, and aggression-victimization), low cyberbullying (moderate victimization, aggression, and aggression-victimization), and non-cyberbullying. The cyberbullying patterns varied significantly for all social anxiety subscales. Students with the high cyberbullying profile (bully-victims) presented high scores on social avoidance and distress in social situations in general with peers, whereas these students presented lower levels of fear of negative evaluation and distress and social avoidance in new situations as compared to the low cyberbullying (rarely victim/bully) and non-involved student profiles. Implications for psychologists and educational counselors and cyberbullying preventive interventions are discussed.

Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents and School Anxiety Inventory: Psychometric properties in French adolescents.

School and social anxiety are common problems and have a significant impact on youths' development. Nevertheless, the questionnaires to assess these anxious symptoms in French adolescents have limitations. The aim of this study is to provide a French version of the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A) and the School Anxiety Inventory (SAI), analysing their psychometric properties by the factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity. The SAS-A and the SAI were collectively administered in a sample of 1011 French adolescents (48.5% boys) ranging in age from 11 to 18 years. Confirmatory factor analyses replicated the previously identified correlated three-factor structure of the SAS-A and the correlated four-factor structure of the SAI. Acceptable internal consistency indexes were found for SAS-A and SAI scores. Correlations supported the convergent validity of the questionnaires' subscales. Overall, results supported the internal consistency and validity of the French versions of the SAS-A and SAI.

La ansiedad escolar como variable explicativa del ciberacoso en estudiantes españoles de Educación Primaria / School anxiety as an explanatory variable of cyberbullying in Spanish students of Primary Education

Este estudio analizo el poder explicativo de la ansiedad escolar sobre el ciberacoso y las diferencias de ansiedad escolar según su papel en el ciberacoso (victimas, agresores, agresores-victimizados y no implicados). Se aplicó el "Screening de acoso entre iguales" (SAI) y el "Inventario de ansiedad escolar para Educación Primaria" (IAEP) a 548 estudiantes (50,2% chicos) de 5o y 6o de Educación Primaria (10-13 años). Las evidencias halladas situaron las puntuaciones altas en ansiedad ante la evaluación social como variable explicativa del papel de víctima, así como niveles más elevados en ansiedad psicofisiológica en el caso de los agresores. La ansiedad ante el castigo escolar aparece como un factor protector para no ser agresor y agresor-victimizado. Además, los estudiantes victimas de ciberacoso manifiestan más síntomas de ansiedad ante distintas situaciones escolares que los estudiantes agresores-victimizados y los no implicados en casos de ciberacoso. Los hallazgos obtenidos son discutidos destacando la ansiedad escolar como una variable explicativa de actuar como víctima, agresor y agresor-victimizado de ciberacoso, pudiendo estos guiar en la elaboración de programas de prevención eficaces

This study analyzed the explanatory power of school anxiety on cyberbullying and the differences in school anxiety according to the personal role in cyberbullying (victims, bullies, bullies-victims and not involved). The Screening of harassment among peers (SAI) and the School anxiety inventory for Primary Education (IAEP), was applied to 548 students (50.2% boys) of 5th and 6th grade of Primary Education (10-13 years). The evidence found placed the high scores in anxiety related to social evaluation as the explanatory variable of the role of victim, as well as higher levels in psychophysiological anxiety in the case of the bullies. Anxiety in the face of school punishment appears as a protective factor for not being bullies and bully-victims. In addition, student victims of cyberbullying showed more symptoms of anxiety in different school situations than student bully-victims and those not involved in cases of cyberbullying. The findings are discussed highlighting school anxiety as an explanatory variable of acting as a victim, bully and bully-victim of cyberbullying, which can guide the development of effective prevention programs

Motivational profiles spanish students of compulsory secondary education: differential analysis of academic self-attributions / Perfiles motivacionales en estudiantes espanoles de Ecuacion Secundaria Obligatoria: Analisis diferencial en autoatribuciones academicas

Academic goals and academic self-attributions are relevant variables in school settings. The objective of this study is to identify whether there are combinations of multiple goals that lead to different motivational profiles and to determine whether there are significant differences between the groups obtained regarding causal attributions of success and failure (ability, effort, or external causes) in Mathematics and Language and Literature, and in overall academic performance. The Goal Achievement Tendencies Questionnaire (AGTQ) and the Sydney Attribution Scale (SAS) were administered to a sample of 2022 students of compulsory secondary education, ranging in age from 12 to 16 years (M = 13.81, SD = 1.35). Cluster analysis identified four motivational profiles: a group of students with a high generalized motivation profile, a group of students with low generalized motivation profile, a group of students with predominance of learning goals and achievement goals, and a final group of students with predominance of social reinforcement goals. Results revealed statistically significant differences between the profiles obtained in academic self-attributions

Perfiles motivacionales en estudiantes españoles de Ecuación Secundaria Obligatoria: Análisis diferencial en autoatribuciones académicas. Resumen: Las metas académicas y las autoatribuciones académicas que realizan los estudiantes son variables relevantes en el contexto escolar. El objetivo de este estudio es identificar si existen combinaciones de múltiples metas que dan lugar a diferentes perfiles motivacionales, así como comprobar si existen diferencias significativas entre los grupos obtenidos respecto de las autoatribuciones de éxito y fracaso (capacidad, esfuerzo o causas externas) en la asignatura de matemáticas, lengua y literatura y con respecto al rendimiento académico general. El Achievement Goal Tendencies Questionnaire (AGTQ) y la Sydney Attribution Scale (SAS) fueron administrados a una muestra de 2022 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria de 12 a 16 años (M = 13.81; DT = 1.35). El análisis de conglomerados ha identificado cuatro perfiles motivacionales: un grupo de alumnos con un perfil de alta motivación generalizada, un grupo de estudiantes con un perfil de baja motivación generalizada, un grupo de alumnos con un predominio de metas de aprendizaje y metas de logro y un último grupo de estudiantes con predominio de metas de reforzamiento social. Los resultados revelaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los perfiles obtenidos con respecto a las autoatribuciones académicas

Reliability and Validity Evidence of Scores on the French Version of the Questionnaire about Interpersonal Difficulties for Adolescents.

This study examined the reliability and validity evidence drawn from the scores of the French version of the Questionnaire about Interpersonal Difficulties for Adolescents (QIDA) in a sample of 957 adolescents (48.5% boys) ranging in age from 11 to 18 years (M = 14.48, SD = 1.85). A principal axis factoring (PAF) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to determine the fit of the factor structure of scores on the QIDA. PAF and CFA replicated the previously identified correlated five-factor structure of the QIDA: Assertiveness, Heterosexual Relationships, Public Speaking, Family Relationships, and Close Friendships. The QIDA yielded acceptable reliability scores for French adolescents. Validity evidence of QIDA was also established through correlations with scores on the School Anxiety Inventory and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents. Most of the correlations were positive and exceeded the established criteria of statistical significance, but the magnitude of these varied according to the scales of the QIDA. Results supported the reliability and validity evidence drawn from the scores of the French version of the QIDA.

Psychometric properties of the school anxiety inventory-short version in Spanish secondary education students / Propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de Ansiedad Escolar-Versión Abreviada en estudiantes españoles de Educación Secundaria

BACKGROUND: The School Anxiety Inventory (SAI) can be applied in different fields of psychology. However, due to the inventory's administration time, it may not be useful in certain situations. To address this concern, the present study developed a short version of the SAI (the SAI-SV). METHOD: This study examined the reliability and validity evidence drawn from the scores of the School Anxiety Inventory-Short Version (SAI-SV) using a sample of 2,367 (47.91% boys) Spanish secondary school students, ranging from 12 to 18 years of age. To analyze the dimensional structure of the SAI-SV, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated for SAI-SV scores. RESULTS: A correlated three-factor structure related to school situations (Anxiety about Aggression, Anxiety about Social Evaluation, and Anxiety about Academic Failure) and a three-factor structure related to the response systems of anxiety (Physiological Anxiety, Cognitive Anxiety, and Behavioral Anxiety) were identified and supported. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were determined to be appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability and validity evidence based on the internal structure of SAI-SV scores was satisfactory

ANTECEDENTES: el School Anxiety Inventory (SAI) puede ser aplicado en diferentes ámbitos de la Psicología aunque, debido su tiempo de administración, puede que no resulte útil en ciertas ocasiones. Para solucionar este problema, el presente estudio desarrolló una versión breve del SAI (el SAI-SV). MÉTODO: este estudio examinó la evidencia de fiabilidad y validez extraída de las puntuaciones del Inventario de Ansiedad Escolar-Breve (SAI-SV) utilizando una muestra de 2.367 (47,91% varones) estudiantes españoles de Secundaria, entre 12 y 18 años. Con el fin de analizar la estructura dimensional del SAI-SV se aplicaron análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios. La consistencia interna (coeficientes alfa de Cronbach) y la fiabilidad test-retest se calcularon para las puntuaciones de la SAI-SV. RESULTADOS: una estructura de tres factores correlacionados en relación con las situaciones escolares (Ansiedad sobre Agresividad, Ansiedad sobre la Evaluación Social y Ansiedad sobre el Fracaso Escolar) y una estructura de tres factores relativos a los sistemas de respuesta de ansiedad (Ansiedad Fisiológica, Ansiedad Cognitiva y Ansiedad Conductual) fueron identificados y apoyados. La consistencia interna y la fiabilidad test-retest fueron apropiadas. CONCLUSIONES: la evidencia de fiabilidad y validez basada en la estructura interna de las puntuaciones del SAI-SV fue satisfactoria

The Questionnaire about Interpersonal Difficulties for Adolescents: Reliability and Validity Evidence in Colombian Adolescent / El Cuestionario de Dificultades Interpersonales para adolescentes: evidencia de fiabilidad y validez en una muestra colombiana

The aim of this study was to analyze reliability and validity evidence of scores on the Colombian version of the Questionnaire about Interpersonal Difficulties for Adolescents (QIDA) in a sample of 1,628 adolescents (65.7% boys), ranging in age from 12 to 18 years. Confirmatory factor analyses replicated the correlated five-factor structure of the QIDA: Assertiveness, Heterosexual Relationships, Public Speaking, Family Relationships, and Close Friendships. Internal consistency for the QIDA and subscales scores was excellent. Girls reported higher level of perceived anxiety in heterosexual relationships, whereas boys showed more anxiety in close friendships and decreased interpersonal anxiety during adolescence. Results support the reliability and validity of the scores on the Colombian version of the QIDA.

Este objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la evidencia de fiabilidad y validez de las puntuaciones de la versión colombiana del Cuestionario de Dificultades Interpersonales para Adolescentes (QIDA) en una muestra de 1.628 adolescentes (65.7% chicos) de 12 a 18 años. Los análisis factoriales confirmatorios replicaron la estructura factorial de cinco factores relacionados: Asertividad, Relaciones Heterosexuales, Hablar en Público, Relaciones Familiares y Amigos Íntimos. La consistencia interna del QIDA y sus sub-escalas fue excelente. Las chicas informaron mayores niveles de ansiedad percibida en relaciones heterosexuales, mientras los chicos mostraron más ansiedad en relaciones con amigos íntimos. La ansiedad interpersonal disminuyó durante la adolescencia. Los resultados apoyan la fiabilidad y validez de las puntuaciones de la versión colombiana del QIDA.

Psychometric properties of the School Anxiety Inventory-Short Version in Spanish secondary education students.

BACKGROUND: The School Anxiety Inventory (SAI) can be applied in different fields of psychology. However, due to the inventory's administration time, it may not be useful in certain situations. To address this concern, the present study developed a short version of the SAI (the SAI-SV). METHOD: This study examined the reliability and validity evidence drawn from the scores of the School Anxiety Inventory-Short Version (SAI-SV) using a sample of 2,367 (47.91% boys) Spanish secondary school students, ranging from 12 to 18 years of age. To analyze the dimensional structure of the SAI-SV, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated for SAI-SV scores. RESULTS: A correlated three-factor structure related to school situations (Anxiety about Aggression, Anxiety about Social Evaluation, and Anxiety about Academic Failure) and a three-factor structure related to the response systems of anxiety (Physiological Anxiety, Cognitive Anxiety, and Behavioral Anxiety) were identified and supported. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were determined to be appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability and validity evidence based on the internal structure of SAI-SV scores was satisfactory.

Relaciones entre ansiedad escolar, ansiedad rasgo, ansiedad estado y depresión en una muestra de adolescentes españoles / Relationships between school anxiety, trait anxiety, state anxiety and depression in a sample of Spanish adolescents

Different studies have analyzed school anxiety as a unitary construct, without regard to the different situations and response systems that make up this construct. However, the present study considers the school anxiety as a multidimensional construct. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the relationships and predictive capacity among situations and responses of school anxiety on trait anxiety, state anxiety and depression. The School Anxiety Inventory (IAES), the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI and STAIC) and the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) were administered to a sample of 1,409 Spanish students of 12 to 18 years. The results show significant and positive correlations between situations and responses of school anxiety with trait anxiety, state anxiety and depression. In addition, situations and responses systems of school anxiety are significant and positive predictors of trait anxiety, state anxiety and depression. The practical implications of these findings are discussed (AU)

Diferentes estudios han analizado la ansiedad escolar como un constructo unitario sin atender a las diferentes situaciones y sistemas de respuesta que conforman este constructo. El presente estudio considera la ansiedad escolar como un constructo multidimensional y su objetivo fue analizar las relaciones y capacidad predictiva de las situaciones y sistemas de respuesta de la ansiedad escolar sobre la ansiedad rasgo, la ansiedad estado y la depresión. El Inventario de Ansiedad Escolar (IAES), el Inventario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo (STAI y STAIC) y el Inventario de Depresión Infantil (CDI) fueron administrados a una muestra de 1409 estudiantes españoles de 12 a 18 años de edad. Los resultados muestran correlaciones positivas y significativas entre las situaciones y respuestas de ansiedad escolar con ansiedad rasgo, ansiedad estado y depresión. Además, la mayoría de factores situacionales y sistemas de respuesta de la ansiedad escolar son predictores significativos y positivos de la ansiedad rasgo, la ansiedad estado y la depresión. Las implicaciones prácticas de estos resultados son discutidas (AU)

Auto-atribuciones Académicas: Diferencias de Género y Curso en Estudiantes de Educación Secundaria / Academic Self-attributions: Gender and Grade Differences in students of Secondary Education

El análisis de las autoatribuciones académicas constituye un aspecto esencial del componente afectivo y emocional de la motivación escolar en estudiantes de educación secundaria obligatoria (ESO). El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar, mediante un diseño transversal, las diferencias de género y curso y el papel predictivo de estas variables en las atribuciones causales académicas de los alumnos medidas a través de las escalas generales de la Sydney Attribution Scale (SAS). El cuestionario fue administrado a 2.022 estudiantes (51.08% chicos) de 1º a 4º de ESO. El rango de edad fue de 12 a 16 años (M = 13.81; DT = 1.35). Los resultados derivados de los análisis de varianza y de los tamaños del efecto (índice d) revelaron que los chicos atribuyeron sus éxitos significativamente más a su capacidad, mientras las chicas los atribuyeron significativamente más al esfuerzo. Respecto a las atribuciones de fracaso escolar, los resultados indicaron que los chicos los atribuyeron significativamente más a la falta de esfuerzo que las chicas. Asimismo, se hallaron diferencias de curso académico en la mayoría de las atribuciones causales analizadas. Los análisis de regresión logística indicaron que el género y el curso fueron predictores significativos de las atribuciones causales académicas, aunque los resultados variaron para cada una de las escalas de la SAS. Los resultados son discutidos en relación a la necesidad de diseñar programas de intervención que tengan en cuenta las variables sexo y curso académico.

The analysis of academic self-attributions is an essential aspect of the affective and emotional component of the school motivation in students of compulsory secondary education. The aim of this study was to analyze, using a cross-sectional design, gender and grade differences and the predictive role of these variables on academic causal attributions of students measured by the general scales of the Sydney Attribution Scale (SAS). The questionnaire was administered to 2.022 students (51.08% boys) from grades 7 to 10. The range of age was from 12 to 16 year-olds (M = 13.81; SD = 1.35). Results derived from analysis of variance and effect sizes (d index) revealed that boys attributed their success significantly more to its capacity, whereas girls attributed to the effort. Regarding the attributions of academic failure, the results indicated that boys attributed significantly more to the lack of effort than girls. Additionally, grade level differences were found between for the most of the causal attributions examined. Logistic regression analyses indicated that gender and grade were significant predictors of academic causal attributions, although these results varied for each of the SAS scales. The results are discussed in relation to the need to design intervention programs that take into account the sex and grade level.

Análisis de la relación entre la victimización y la violencia escolar: el rol de la reputación antisocial / Analysis of the relationship between victimization and school violence: the role of antisocial reputation

Estudios previos han identificado dos subgrupos de víctimas de violencia escolar. Un primer subgrupo lo componen la mayoría de víctimas que se caracterizan por su respuesta pasiva y sumisa ante los ataques, mientras que un menor porcentaje, aunque en mayor riesgo de desajuste psicosocial, combina la victimización con un comportamiento desafiante, hostil y agresivo. El presente estudio se centra en el segundo caso, con el objeto de analizar los posibles factores influyentes en el proceso de transición dela victimización a la implicación en conductas agresivas en el contexto escolar. La premisa de partida se fundamenta en la teoría propuesta originalmente por Emler, que sostiene que la percepción de desprotección de la víctima en la situación de intimidación, puede resultar en la búsqueda de una reputación antisocial que le ayude a auto-defenderse ante futuros ataques, una imagen social que se configura precisamente con la implicación en actos violentos. Para analizar estas relaciones, se utilizó una muestra de 1795 adolescentes de entre 11 y 18 años, escolarizados en nueve centros de educación secundaria obligatoria. Para el análisis de los datos, se calculó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales que confirmó la hipótesis de partida (AU)

Previous studies have identified two subgroups of victims of school violence. A first subgroupis composed of the majority of victims who are characterized by their passive response and withdrawal in violent situations, while a lower percentage, although at more risk of psychosocial maladjustment, combines victimization with a defiant, hostile and aggressive behaviour. The present study is focused on the second case, with the purpose of analyzing the possible factors influencing the transition from passive victimization to involvement in aggressive behaviors within the school context. The starting premise is based on the theory originally proposed by Emler, which posits that the victim’s perception of helplessness in situations of intimidation, may result in the searching of an antisocial reputation that helps victims defend themselves against future attacks; a social image that takes shape precisely through the involvement in violent acts. To test these relationships, 1795 adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age were recruited from nine secondary schools. To analyse the data, a structural equation model was calculated, which confirmed the starting hypothesis (AU)

Inventario de Ansiedad Escolar: validación en una muestra de estudiantes de Educación Secundaria / School Anxiety Inventory: Validation in a sample of Spanish secondary education students

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de las puntuaciones del Inventario de Ansiedad Escolar (IAES). El IAES fue administrado a una muestra de 520 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria de 12 a 18 años. Los análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios apoyaron la estructura de cuatro factores correlacionados relativos a situaciones escolares (Ansiedad ante el fracaso y castigo escolar, Ansiedad ante la agresión, Ansiedad ante la evaluación social y Ansiedad ante la evaluación escolar) y la estructura de tres factores relativos a los sistemas de respuesta de la ansiedad (Ansiedad cognitiva, Ansiedad psicofisiológica y Ansiedad conductual). La consistencia interna y la fiabilidad test-retest fueron adecuadas. Los resultados revelaron correlaciones positivas y estadísticamente significativas entre el IAES y el Inventario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo (STAI) (AU)

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric evidence of scores on the School Anxiety Inventory (SAI). The SAI was administered to a sample of 520 secondary education students, aged from 12 to 18 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the correlated four-factor structure related to school situations (Anxiety about Academic Failure and Punishment, Anxiety about Aggression, Anxiety about Social Evaluation, and Anxiety about Academic Evaluation) and the three-factor structure related to the response systems of anxiety (Cognitive Anxiety, Psychophysiological Anxiety, and Behavioral Anxiety). Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were appropriate. The results also revealed positive and statistically significant correlations between the SAI and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (AU)

[School Anxiety Inventory: validation in a sample of Spanish secondary education students]. / Inventario de Ansiedad Escolar: validación en una muestra de estudiantes de Educación Secundaria.

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric evidence of scores on the School Anxiety Inventory (SAI). The SAI was administered to a sample of 520 secondary education students, aged from 12 to 18 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the correlated four-factor structure related to school situations (Anxiety about Academic Failure and Punishment, Anxiety about Aggression, Anxiety about Social Evaluation, and Anxiety about Academic Evaluation) and the three-factor structure related to the response systems of anxiety (Cognitive Anxiety, Psychophysiological Anxiety, and Behavioral Anxiety). Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were appropriate. The results also revealed positive and statistically significant correlations between the SAI and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

Evaluación y tratamiento de la ansiedad escolar en la infancia y adolescencia / Asssessment and treatment of school phobia in children and adolescents

La ansiedad escolar se define como un patrón desadaptativo de respuestas de ansiedad ante situaciones escolares, siendo considerado como uno de los trastornos infanto-juveniles más incapacitantes. Este artículo revisa las características comunes de los jóvenes que presentan ansiedad escolar, distinguiéndose de otros trastornos de ansiedad, tales como ansiedad por separación y hacer novillos. Además, se revisan los métodos de evaluación generalmente utilizados, subrayando el Inventario de Miedos Escolares (IME) y la “Escala de evaluación del rechazo a la escuela” (School Refusal Assessment Scale; SRAS). Del mismo modo, se revisa la literatura sobre el tratamiento de la ansiedad escolar, encontrándose que la orientación cognitivo-conductual es la terapia más ampliamente utilizada y eficaz. Finalmente, se describen los avances en la investigación sobre ansiedad escolar (AU)

School anxiety is defined as a maladapted pattern of anxiety behaviours related to school situations, being considered one of the most disabling anxiety disorders during childhood and adolescence. This article reviews the common characteristics of youths with school anxiety, distinguishing between other anxiety disorders such as separation anxiety disorder and truancy. Moreover, methods of evaluation commonly employed are reviewed, in particular the Fear School Inventory (FSI) and the School Refusal Assessment Scale (SRAS). Furthermore, the literature about the treatment of school anxiety is reviewed, concluding that the cognitive-behavioural approach is the most widespread and effective therapy. Finally, the advances in research on school anxiety are described