The Analogical Symptom Assessment: validation in a sample of new parents during the prenatal period

Background: The Analogical Symptom Assessment test (ASA) (Baldoni, 2013) is a symptomatologic self-report questionnaire that assesses the general state of health as perceived by the subject. It consists of seven questions evaluated on an analogical basis (a ten-centimeter line). The aim of this study is to measure the psychometric characteristics of ASA in a sample of parents during the prenatal period. Methods: A sample of new fathers and mothers (200 couples, 400 parents) at the VII-VIII months prenatal was involved in the study. All participants completed the following questionnaires: ASA, PAPA, CES-D, SCL-90-R, PSS and DAS. Results: Statistical analysis reported acceptable values of Cronbach’s alpha both in mothers (α = 0,76) and fathers (α = 0,67). Spearman’s correlation coefficient between subscales and general scales of the different tests was analyzed to assess the criterion-related validity of ASA. Findings revealed significant (p < 0,05) and strong (r > 0,5) association between indicators of anxiety, depression, anger, stress and somatic symptoms both in mothers and fathers. Results showed higher scores (p < 0,05) in depression, anxiety, anger and somatic symptoms in mothers. Fathers reported higher scores (p < 0,05) only for addictions and risky behaviors. Conclusions: ASA revealed good concurrent validity and internal reliability in mothers and fathers. It also appears capable of capturing some gender differences in the manifestation of suffering. Due to its simplicity, cost effectiveness and administration speed, ASA turns out to be a useful screening tool in clinical and in research contexts.