Does Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Fit Within a Bi-Factor Model of ADHD?

Objective: Studies demonstrate sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms to be distinct from inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive dimensions of ADHD. No study has examined SCT within a bi-factor model of ADHD, whereby SCT may form a specific factor distinct from inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity while still fitting within a general ADHD factor, which was the purpose of the current study. Method: A total of 168 children were recruited from an ADHD clinic. Most (92%) met diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Parents and teachers completed measures of ADHD and SCT. Results: Although SCT symptoms were strongly associated with inattention, they loaded onto a factor independent of ADHD g. Results were consistent across parent and teacher ratings. Conclusion: SCT is structurally distinct from inattention as well as from the general ADHD latent symptom structure. Findings support a growing body of research suggesting SCT to be distinct and separate from ADHD.

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Advancing the Multi-Informant Assessment of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo: Child Self-Report in Relation to Parent and Teacher Ratings of SCT and Impairment

Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology ◽

10.1007/s10802-018-0436-4 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 35-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Belén Sáez ◽

Mateu Servera ◽

G. Leonard Burns ◽

Stephen P. Becker

Keyword(s):

Teacher Ratings ◽

Self Report ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Parent And Teacher Ratings ◽

Cognitive Tempo

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Internal and External Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD Inattention Dimensions with Teacher Ratings of Nepali Children

Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment ◽

10.1007/s10862-015-9534-6 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 433-442 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Girwan Khadka ◽

G. Leonard Burns ◽

Stephen P. Becker

Keyword(s):

External Validity ◽

Teacher Ratings ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Internal And External Validity ◽

Cognitive Tempo

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Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in South America: An Initial Examination Using Mother and Teacher Ratings of Chilean Children

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054715597470 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 667-672 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Marta Belmar ◽

Mateu Servera ◽

Stephen P. Becker ◽

G. Leonard Burns

Keyword(s):

Convergent Validity ◽

Western Europe ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Teacher Ratings ◽

Social Impairment ◽

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽

Initial Examination ◽

Academic Impairment ◽

Oppositional Defiant ◽

Cognitive Tempo

Objective: To examine the validity of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) and ADHD–inattention (ADHD-IN) symptoms in children from Chile. Method: Mothers and teachers rated SCT, ADHD-IN, ADHD–hyperactivity/impulsivity (ADHD-HI), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety, depression, academic impairment, social impairment, and peer rejection (teachers only) in 652 Chilean children (55% boys) aged 6 to 14 years. Results: For both mother and teacher ratings, the eight SCT symptoms and nine ADHD-IN symptoms showed substantial loadings on their respective factors (convergent validity) along with loadings close to zero on the alternative factor (discriminant validity). ADHD-IN showed a uniquely stronger relationship than SCT with ADHD-HI and ODD whereas SCT showed a uniquely stronger relationship than ADHD-IN with anxiety and depression. Although ADHD-IN uniquely predicted academic impairment and social difficulties, SCT did not. Conclusion: This study provides the first evidence for the validity of SCT among children outside of North America or Western Europe.

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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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