Barkley Child Attention Scale Validity and Reliability Study

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Barkley Child Attention Scale (BCAS) for 6-to 12-year-old children. Method: This study was conducted with 291 children (of an age of 6-12 years) with a clinically normal level of intelligence and a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The structure validity of the scale was studied by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. In order to evaluate the measure-dependent validity of the scale, Child Behavior Checklist for ages 6-18 and Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire (SNAP-IV) parental form were used. Reliability of the scale was measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: As a result of the exploratory factor analysis, the scale consists of two factors called "daydreaming" and "sluggish," as is the case in its original form. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the fit indices of the scale were at an acceptable level. The correlation analysis study for the criterion-related validity study of the scale revealed that Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) had a positive correlation with ADHD-IN and internalization problems, a negative correlation with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/hyperactivity-impulsivity (ADHD-HI), and no correlation with externalization problems. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the BCAS is 0.86 and the scale is seen to be reliable. Conclusion: It can be said that the BCAS is a valid and reliable scale that can measure sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms of 6- to 12-year-old children.