SCARED (Parent) · Childhood anxiety
Does my child have anxiety? Free SCARED parent-report test
Kid Anxiety Self-Test (Parent)
The SCARED - a validated child anxiety screener, parent-report version.
The SCARED (parent-report) is a free 41-item questionnaire for parents of children 8+, scoring anxiety 0-82 across panic, generalised, separation, social, and school-avoidance domains. A total of 25 or above suggests a full anxiety assessment.
Reviewed by Komel Kaur, psychotherapist and executive coach, M.A. Psychology
Last reviewed 9 July 2026
5
Questions
~1
Minutes
Free
Always
Question 1 of 5 · start here
My child is nervous.
Pick one and the rest of the SCARED (Parent) continues on the next screen. Free, no sign-up.
What the SCARED (Parent) measures
The SCARED (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders) measures anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents. This site uses the validated 5-item short form (SCARED-5), which asks about nervousness, clinginess to parents, being told 'you worry too much', fear of sleeping alone, and worry about going to school.
Each item is scored 0-2, giving a total between 0 and 10. A total of 3 or higher on the SCARED-5 is the standard cut-off for a positive screen.
Both a child self-report version (for children aged 8 and up) and a parent-report version are available. Discordance between the two - where one reports significant anxiety and the other does not - is itself clinically informative.
Where the SCARED (Parent) came from
The full 41-item SCARED was developed by Boris Birmaher and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh in 1997-1999 and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. It was designed to screen not only for generalised anxiety but also for panic, social anxiety, separation anxiety, and school avoidance. The 5-item short form was validated later as a rapid screener for primary paediatric care, retaining strong sensitivity to anxiety while cutting completion time to about a minute. Both versions are free and widely used in paediatric primary care, school counselling, and child mental-health services.
How the SCARED (Parent) is scored
The SCARED-5 gives a total from 0 to 10. A score of 3 or higher is the standard positive-screen cut-off; the full 41-item SCARED uses different cut-offs and provides subscale scores by anxiety type.
| Score | Severity | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | Below screening cut-off | Anxiety symptoms below the SCARED-5 threshold. Some worry is a normal part of childhood. |
| 3-10 | Positive screen | Anxiety symptoms above the SCARED-5 threshold. A conversation with a paediatrician or child therapist is worthwhile - childhood anxiety responds well to treatment when caught early. |
How the SCARED (Parent) is used in clinical practice
The SCARED is used routinely in paediatric primary care to screen for anxiety at well-child visits. The short form is common in rapid-screen contexts; the full 41-item version is used when a fuller picture is needed.
Both child- and parent-report versions are typically used together. Where they agree, confidence in the screen is high. Where they disagree, a clinician explores why - children sometimes hide anxiety from parents, and parents sometimes see anxiety their children do not experience internally.
In therapy, the SCARED is used at baseline and repeated to track whether treatment (CBT is the first-line evidence-based approach for childhood anxiety) is reducing symptoms.
Limitations to keep in mind
- ·The SCARED-5 is a rapid screen. A positive screen means anxiety is worth evaluating, not that a specific anxiety disorder is present. The full SCARED is needed to identify which anxiety subtype is dominant.
- ·Very young children (under 8) may struggle to answer some items reliably; parent report is more useful in that age range.
- ·Symptoms overlap with normal developmental worries (separation, school starts, social changes) and with medical conditions. A clinician places the score in context.
- ·As with any self-report, the score is a snapshot. Symptoms in children can shift with school terms, family events, and sleep quality.
How to read your SCARED (Parent) score
A score is a starting point, not a verdict. Here is what each band on the SCARED (Parent) usually means and what a reasonable next step looks like.
Below screening cutoff
The score is below the SCARED-5 cutoff. Some worry is normal for kids - keep an open conversation about feelings going.
Positive screen - further evaluation suggested
The score meets the SCARED-5 cutoff for possible anxiety. Worth a conversation with a paediatrician or child therapist - anxiety responds very well to treatment in this age group.
What happens after a high score
A high SCARED (Parent) score does not mean something is wrong with you, and it does not confirm a diagnosis. It means the pattern you are living with is measurable, and that a trained person can help you understand it properly.
In practice, the next step is usually a conversation: someone takes your history, rules out other causes (thyroid, sleep debt, medication, grief, life circumstance), and looks at how long this has been going on and how much it is costing you. From there you decide together whether therapy, a medical review, or simply structured support is the right fit.
If you want to bring your result to someone, you can email yourself a copy at the end of the test and book an online session with Komel. Sessions are 60 minutes on Google Meet, and you can also start with a shorter 30-minute intro consultation.
Instrument and source
This page administers the Kid Anxiety Self-Test (Parent) (SCARED (Parent)) as published, without modification to item wording or scoring. It is reproduced here for education and self-screening, scored on your device, and reviewed by Komel Kaur, Psychotherapist.
Birmaher B, Brent DA, Chiappetta L, et al. Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED): a replication study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1999;38(10):1230-1236.
Before you start
- · Find a quiet few minutes - answer honestly, not how you wish you felt.
- · There are no right or wrong answers. Pick what feels closest.
- · This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
- · If anything brings up something heavy, support is at the end.
Common questions about the SCARED (Parent)
What is the SCARED?
The SCARED is the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, a widely-used anxiety screener for children aged 8-18. This site uses the validated 5-item short form (SCARED-5).
What is a positive SCARED-5 score?
A total of 3 or higher on the SCARED-5 is the standard cut-off for a positive screen and suggests further evaluation with a paediatrician or child therapist.
Should I use the child or parent version?
Both, ideally. The child version captures internal experience; the parent version captures observable behaviour. Doing both gives a fuller picture and highlights any discrepancies worth exploring.
Does the SCARED diagnose anxiety?
No. It is a screener. Childhood anxiety disorders are diagnosed by a clinician after a full evaluation.
How is childhood anxiety treated?
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the first-line evidence-based treatment for childhood anxiety and works well for most children. Some presentations also benefit from parent-training components, and severe cases may involve medical review.
Is the SCARED free?
Yes. The SCARED is free for clinical, research, and personal screening use.
Reviewed by Komel Kaur, psychotherapist and executive coach, M.A. Psychology
Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Birmaher B, Brent DA, Chiappetta L, et al. Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED): a replication study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1999;38(10):1230-1236.