Abstract
The Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire-Short Form (BIQ-SF) is a 14-item parent-rating scale for assessing an inhibited, anxiety-prone
temperament in preschool children. This study examined the psychometric properties of the BIQ-SF scores in a multi-ethnic
community population of Dutch boys and girls aged 2.5–6 years (total N = 2,343, from which various subsamples were derived). Results revealed that the factor structure of the BIQ-SF was as hypothesized:
a model with six correlated factors representing children’s inhibited behaviors in various social and non-social contexts
provided a good fit for the data. The internal consistency of the BIQ-SF was generally satisfactory and scores on the scale
were found to be fairly stable over a time period of up to 2 years. Parent-teacher agreement was acceptable, and relations
between the BIQ-SF and observations of an inhibited temperament were moderate. Finally, BIQ-SF scores were positively associated
with measures of anxiety and internalizing symptoms, whereas no significant links were found with externalizing symptoms.
Altogether, these results provide support for the reliability and validity of the BIQ-SF as an economical method for assessing
behavioral inhibition and anxiety proneness in young children.
temperament in preschool children. This study examined the psychometric properties of the BIQ-SF scores in a multi-ethnic
community population of Dutch boys and girls aged 2.5–6 years (total N = 2,343, from which various subsamples were derived). Results revealed that the factor structure of the BIQ-SF was as hypothesized:
a model with six correlated factors representing children’s inhibited behaviors in various social and non-social contexts
provided a good fit for the data. The internal consistency of the BIQ-SF was generally satisfactory and scores on the scale
were found to be fairly stable over a time period of up to 2 years. Parent-teacher agreement was acceptable, and relations
between the BIQ-SF and observations of an inhibited temperament were moderate. Finally, BIQ-SF scores were positively associated
with measures of anxiety and internalizing symptoms, whereas no significant links were found with externalizing symptoms.
Altogether, these results provide support for the reliability and validity of the BIQ-SF as an economical method for assessing
behavioral inhibition and anxiety proneness in young children.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Contribution
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-012-0299-0
- Authors
- Leonie J. Vreeke, Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, Suite T12-35, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Peter Muris, Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, Suite T12-35, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Birgit Mayer, Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, Suite T12-35, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Jorg Huijding, Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, Suite T12-35, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Arjan E. R. Bos, Faculty of Psychology, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Monique van der Veen, Ouder- en Kindzorg Rotterdam (Infant Welfare Center), Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Hein Raat, Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Fop Verheij, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827