Internal and External Validity of Self-Report and Parent-Report Measures of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in South Korean Adolescents

Objective: This study evaluated which Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) factors (i.e., Slow, Sleepy, Daydreamer) are most strongly associated with homework motivation, and whether homework motivation mediates the path between SCT and academic impairment. Method: Participants were 285 middle school students (boys 209) in Grades 6 to 8 (ages 10-15 years) who were comprehensively diagnosed with ADHD. Results: Parent- and self-report of SCT Slow behaviors predicted homework motivation above and beyond symptoms of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety, depression, and intelligence. The mediation models tested were multi-informant and cross-rater (parent-report of SCT to self-report of motivation to teacher-report of homework problems), and suggest that low motivation may help explain the associations between SCT and functional impairment. Conclusion: SCT and motivation are significantly associated constructs. Clinically, youth with ADHD and comorbid SCT may be more likely to present with low motivation, placing them at risk for academic failure. The manuscript discusses potential clinical implications of these findings.

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Examining the Structural and External Validity of the Adult Concentration Inventory for Assessing Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Adults

Assessment ◽

10.1177/10731911211027224 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107319112110272

Author(s):

Joseph W. Fredrick ◽

G. Leonard Burns ◽

Joshua M. Langberg ◽

Stephen P. Becker

Keyword(s):

Time Management ◽

External Validity ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Factor Model ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Community Sample ◽

Self Report ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Symptom Dimensions ◽

Cognitive Tempo

The Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI) is an adult self-report measure of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) developed following a meta-analysis identifying items distinguishing SCT from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattention. To date, only one study conducted in college students has examined the structural and external validity of the ACI. The current study evaluated the convergent and discriminative validity of the ACI in a community sample of adults, in addition to testing unique associations with internalizing symptoms, daily life executive functions, and sleep. Adults ( N = 286; Mage = 44.45; 83.6% female) completed ratings of SCT, ADHD symptom dimensions, and external correlates. An a priori two-factor model with cross-loadings found 10 of the 16 SCT items to have high loadings on the SCT factor and low loadings on the ADHD inattention factor. SCT was uniquely associated with higher internalizing symptoms, time management and self-organization difficulties, poorer sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, lower sleep efficiency, and more daytime sleepiness. These findings replicate and extend support for the ACI in assessing SCT in adults.

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Evaluating the Structure of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Using Confirmatory Factor Analytic and Bifactor Modeling With Parent and Youth Ratings

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191116653471 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 99-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Zoe R. Smith ◽

Stephen P. Becker ◽

Annie A. Garner ◽

Cort W. Rudolph ◽

Stephen J. Molitor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Parent Report ◽

Self Report ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

General Factor ◽

Fit Statistics ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Bifactor Modeling ◽

Three Factor ◽

Cognitive Tempo

The primary goals of this study were to evaluate the dimensionality of the Penny et al. Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale and to compare model fits for parent- and youth self-report versions. Participants were 262 young adolescents (ages 10-15) comprehensively diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Both confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and bifactor modeling were used to determine if the proposed three-factor structure previously identified through exploratory factor analysis could be confirmed. Results showed that although the three-factor CFA had better fit statistics than a one- or two-factor CFA, the bifactor model was the best-fitting model for both parent report and self-report. This implies that Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale is best conceptualized as having an underlying general factor, with three specific factors that may represent different etiologies. Importantly, results also showed low-to-moderate correlations between raters and equivalent or better fit statistics for self-report in comparison with parent report.

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The Internal and External Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and its Relation with DSM–IV ADHD

Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology ◽

10.1007/s10802-013-9800-6 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 21-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 98

Author(s):

Erik G. Willcutt ◽

Nomita Chhabildas ◽

Mikaela Kinnear ◽

John C. DeFries ◽

Richard K. Olson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

External Validity ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Dsm Iv ◽

Internal And External Validity ◽

Cognitive Tempo

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The Child Concentration Inventory (CCI): Initial validation of a child self-report measure of sluggish cognitive tempo.

Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1037/pas0000083 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 1037-1052 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Stephen P. Becker ◽

Aaron M. Luebbe ◽

Ann Marie Joyce

Keyword(s):

Self Report ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Initial Validation ◽

Report Measure ◽

Cognitive Tempo

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The Relationship between Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Self-esteem, and Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among University Students

Journal of Educational and Social Research ◽

10.36941/jesr-2021-0043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 238

Author(s):

Shaimaa Ezzat Basha ◽

Futiem Nasha Alsubie

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

University Students ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Self Report ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Positive Direct ◽

Cognitive Tempo

The present paper aims at determining the contribution of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) and self-esteem to predicting Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among female university students in Saudi Arabia. It examines the differences in the research variables according to academic achievement. It also identifies the correlations of these variables. The authors applied the research instruments, i.e., the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1), Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI), and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) to a sample of 203 female university students aged 19-31 years (M = 23.29 years; SD= 3.74 years). The results showed no differences in the mean scores of ASRS, ACI, and negative self-esteem in the achievement levels among university students. In contrast, there was a positive direct relationship between ADHD, SCT, and negative self-esteem. SCT contributed significantly (by 40%), whereas self-esteem contributed by 6% in predicting ADHD among university students. The study highlighted the contribution of both negative self-esteem and SCT to predicting ADHD among Saudi university students to understand the nature of the disorder and its predictors. The findings of this study can be utilized to develop preventive programs for enhancing self-esteem and increasing attention among university students. Received: 17 December 2020 / Accepted: 31 January 2021 / Published: 5 March 2021

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Sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms and psychosocial well-being in adolescents – an epidemiological study in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.445 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S441-S441

Author(s):

T. Hurtig ◽

J. Veijola

Keyword(s):

Birth Cohort ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Population Sample ◽

Participation Rate ◽

Well Being ◽

Attention Problems ◽

Self Report ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Lower Grade ◽

Cognitive Tempo

IntroductionThe investigation of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) concept has renewed interest in recent years. Apart from previous studies linking SCT items to ADHD, current research now shows further evidence for the relationship between SCT items and impairment in several domains. Despite it is not a clinical entity, SCT items are often seen in clinical child and adolescent psychiatric populations and, thus, further investigation of these symptoms is clearly needed both in clinical and in community samples.ObjectivesOur aim was to investigate the relations between SCT items and psychiatric symptoms, as well as psychosocial and academic functioning in a large general population sample of adolescents.MethodsFifteen-year old adolescents from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n = 9432) completed a postal questionnaire on their health and well-being with a participation rate of 80%. The questionnaire included the Youth Self Report (YSR) which has the following SCT items: I feel confused or in a fog, I daydream a lot, and, I don’t have much energy, as well as items constructing the subscales depressed/anxious, withdrawn, somatic complains, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, rule-breaking behavior, and aggressive behavior.Preliminary resultsAround 8% of adolescents rated themselves above the 90% cut-off in the sum score of SCT items. They also reported more symptoms in all YSR subscales, lower grade marks in academic field, less friends, and lower life satisfaction than adolescents scoring below the 90% cut-off.ConclusionSCT may relate to various psychiatric problems and reduced psychosocial well-being.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Internal and external validity of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a population-based sample of adults

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329170400337x ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 817-827 ◽

Cited By ~ 283

Author(s):

J. J. SANDRA KOOIJ ◽

JAN K. BUITELAAR ◽

EDWIN J. van den OORD ◽

JOHAN W. FURER ◽

CEES A. TH. RIJNDERS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

External Validity ◽

Adult Population ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Population Based ◽

Self Report ◽

Child Psychiatric ◽

Child Psychiatric Disorder ◽

Core Symptoms ◽

Internal And External Validity

Background. Follow-up studies of childhood ADHD have shown persistence of the disorder into adulthood, but no epidemiological data are yet available.Method. ADHD DSM-IV symptoms were obtained by self-report in an adult population-based sample of 1813 adults (aged 18–75 years), that was drawn from an automated general practitioner system used in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The structure of ADHD symptoms was analysed by means of confirmatory factor analyses. Other data used in this report are the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), information about the presence of three core symptoms of ADHD in childhood, and about current psychosocial impairment.Results. The three-factor model that allowed for cross-loadings provided the best fit in the entire sample. This result was replicated across gender and age subsamples. Inattentive and hyperactivity symptom scores were significantly associated with measures of impairment, even after controlling for the GHQ-28. Subjects with four or more inattentive or hyperactive–impulsive symptoms were significantly more impaired than subjects with two, one and no symptoms. The prevalence of ADHD in adults was 1·0% (95% CI 0·6–1·6) and 2·5% (1·9–3·4) using a cutoff of six and four current symptoms respectively, and requiring the presence of all three core symptoms in childhood.Conclusions. These results support the internal and external validity of ADHD in adults between 18 and 75 years. ADHD is not merely a child psychiatric disorder that persists into young adulthood, but an important and unique manifestation of psychopathology across the lifespan.

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Executive Dysfunction and Functional Impairment Associated With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Emerging Adulthood

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054714560822 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 691-700 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Whitney L. M. Wood ◽

Lawrence J. Lewandowski ◽

Benjamin J. Lovett ◽

Kevin M. Antshel

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Executive Dysfunction ◽

The Other ◽

Self Report ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Objective Research ◽

Cognitive Tempo

Objective: Research has identified a relationship between sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms and symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression; however, no study has controlled for symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression when examining impairment related to SCT symptoms. This study aimed to examine (a) the extent to which functional impairment and executive function (EF) problems were accounted for by SCT symptoms when controlling for ADHD, anxiety, and depression symptoms, and (b) which type of symptoms were associated with the greatest amount of impairment. Method: College students ( N = 458) completed self-report scales of ADHD, SCT, anxiety, and depression symptoms, as well as functional impairment and EF problems. Results: Thirteen percent of the sample was found to have high levels of SCT symptoms. SCT symptoms showed a moderate to strong correlation with the other symptom sets; however, high levels of SCT symptoms often occurred separate from high levels of ADHD, anxiety, or depression symptoms. SCT symptoms accounted for the most unique variance for both EF problems and functional impairment. Students with high levels of SCT symptoms, with or without high levels of ADHD symptoms, exhibited more impairment and EF problems than the controls. Conclusion: SCT is a clinical construct worthy of additional study, particularly among college students.

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