Which instrument is a screening measure specifically designed for anxiety in children?

• A. Beck Anxiety Inventory
• B. Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale
• C. SCL-90-R
• D. BASC

Answer: (B)

Screening for anxiety in children relies on measures developed specifically for pediatric populations that directly capture how anxiety appears in kids. The Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale is designed precisely for this purpose. It uses language and content that reflect children’s typical worries and nervous symptoms, with norms appropriate for school-age children. This makes it a quick, focused tool to screen for potential anxiety concerns and flag those who may need a fuller evaluation.

In comparison, the Beck Anxiety Inventory targets adults and older adolescents, so its items aren’t ideally suited to younger children. The SCL-90-R is a broad symptom checklist for adults or older youths, not focused on pediatric anxiety. The BASC is a broad behavior assessment that covers multiple domains, and while it includes anxiety-related scales, it isn’t a dedicated pediatric anxiety screening instrument.