Citation

Rodenacker K, Hautmann C, Görtz-Dorten A, Döpfner M. Psychopathology 2016; 49(1): 31-39.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy in Childhood and Adolescence, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Karger Publishers)

DOI

10.1159/000442295

PMID

26731122

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Various studies have demonstrated that bifactor models yield better solutions than models with correlated factors. However, the kind of bifactor model that is most appropriate is yet to be examined. The current study is the first to test bifactor models across the full age range (11-18 years) of adolescents using self-reports, and the first to test bifactor models with German subjects and German questionnaires. SAMPLING AND METHODS: The study sample included children and adolescents aged between 6 and 18 years recruited from a German clinical sample (n = 1,081) and a German community sample (n = 642). To examine the factorial validity, we compared unidimensional, correlated factors and higher-order and bifactor models and further tested a modified incomplete bifactor model for measurement invariance.

RESULTS: Bifactor models displayed superior model fit statistics compared to correlated factor models or second-order models. However, a more parsimonious incomplete bifactor model with only 2 specific factors (inattention and impulsivity) showed a good model fit and a better factor structure than the other bifactor models. Scalar measurement invariance was given in most group comparisons.

CONCLUSION: An incomplete bifactor model would suggest that the specific inattention and impulsivity factors represent entities separable from the general attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder construct and might, therefore, give way to a new approach to subtyping of children beyond and above attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Language: en