Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Barkley Child Attention Scale for children.
Methods: This study was conducted with 291 children (at the age of 6-12 years )with clinically intellectually normal and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder were included in the study. The construct validity of the scale was studied by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. In order to evaluate criteria-dependent validity of the scale, 6-18 age range Child Behavior Checklist and SNAP-IV form were used. To measure the reliability of the scale Cronbach alpha coefficient was used. In item analysis, the differences between item total correlation were examined.
Results: As a result of the exploratory factor analysis, the scale consists of two factors called "daydreaming" and "sluggish" as it is in its original form. Confirmatory factor analysis indicates that the fit indexes are at acceptable level. The correlation analysis study for criteria-dependent validity study of the scale had revealed that SCT had positive correlation with ADHD-IN and internalization problems, SCT had negative correlation with ADHD-HI and SCT has no relations with externalization problems. The Cronbach alpha coefficient of the Barkley Child Attention Scale is 0.86 and the scale is believed to be reliable.
Conclusion: It can be said that the Barkley Child Attention Scale is a valid and reliable scale that can measure sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms of the children.

Key words: sluggish cognitive tempo, validity reliability, children