A psychometric evaluation of the behavioral inhibition questionnaire in a non-clinical sample of Dutch children and adolescents

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2010 Apr;41(2):214-229. doi: 10.1007/s10578-009-0162-9.

Abstract

The Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire (BIQ) is a parent-rating scale for measuring temperamental characteristics referring to shyness, fearfulness, and withdrawal in young, preschool children. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the BIQ in a Dutch community sample of children with a broad age range. For this purpose,the reliability and validity of the BIQ was evaluated in three age groups: 4-7-year-olds,8-11-year-olds, and 12-15-year-olds. The results indicated that the internal consistency of most BIQ scales was satisfactory in all three age groups. Principal component analysis of the BIQ yielded a six-factor model that was largely in keeping with the hypothesized structure consisting of the social and non-social components of behavioral inhibition.Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that this model provided a reasonable fit for the data. Further, support for the validity of the measure was obtained in all age groups. That is, BIQ scores were positively correlated with a wide range of anxiety symptoms, although the most substantial links were found for symptoms of social anxiety. Finally, a self-report version of the BIQ, which was administered to children aged 9 years and above, was found to possess good internal consistency and adequate parent-child agreement. Altogether, the results of this study indicate that suggests that the BIQ might be a reliable and valid measure for assessing behavioral inhibition not only in preschoolers but also in older children and adolescents.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Fear / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Internal-External Control
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Parents
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Personality*
  • Psychometrics*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Shyness
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*