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Validity of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Inattention, and Hyperactivity Symptom Dimensions: Neuropsychological and Psychosocial Correlates

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Abstract

This study examined the latent structure and validity of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptomatology. We evaluated mother and teacher ratings of ADHD and SCT symptoms in 140 Puerto Rican children (55.7% males), ages 6 to 11 years, via factor and regression analyses. A three-factor model (inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and SCT) provided the best fit for both sets of ratings. Inattention was the strongest correlate of lower scores on neuropsychological, achievement, and psychosocial measures. Externalizing problems were most strongly associated with hyperactivity-impulsivity, and internalizing problems were most strongly associated with parent-rated SCT and teacher-rated Inattention. SCT was not associated with executive function but was negatively associated with math. Inattention accounted for a disproportionate amount of ADHD-related impairment, which may explain the restricted discriminant validity of DSM-IV types. The distinct factors of hyperactivity-impulsivity and SCT had unique associations with impairing comorbidities and are roughly equivalent in predicting external correlates of ADHD-related impairment.

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Notes

  1. It can be argued that the conceptual working memory, processing speed, and memory retrieval Indices created require empirically confirmation through factor analysis. We conducted a principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation and obtained a memory retrieval (MR) factor (variance: 28.65%) defined by loadings on the three measures of the WSRT, and a second factor (variance: 20.34%) that include working memory measures (digits backwards, hands movement, and Simon Task) and RAN measures (digits, colors, and objects). The last factor encompasses two different constructs, working memory and processing speed (WM-PS), that are reported separately in the literature and are conceptually distinct. Nevertheless, we conducted multiple regressions for each of these factors. There was no association between the MR and WM-PS factors and SCT or hyperactivity, respectively, in mothers’ and teachers’ model. Inattention was associated with the MR factor only in the mothers’ model. These findings are consistent with the overall pattern reported in the main text: that relative weakness in neuropsychological performance is chiefly associated with inattention (data available from the corresponding author).

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Acknowledgements

Data for this study were obtained through NIMH funded grant: 5R24MH49368-06DHHS and the University of Puerto Rico Institutional Fund for Research. We thank Rafael R. Ramírez, Maribel Matos and our research team for their continuous support.

Financial Disclosure

Dr. José J. Bauermeister was an international consultant to Eli Lilly and receives book royalties from Guilford Publications

Dr. Barkley is a speaker/consultant to Eli Lilly, Shire, Janssen-Ortho, Janssen-Cilag, and Novartis. He has also served as an expert witness for Lilly Canada. He receives product royalties from Guilford Publications, Jones and Bartlett, J & K Seminars, and ContinuingEdOnline.com.

Dr. McBurnett has received research funding, acted as a consultant, and/or served on an advisory board or speaker's bureau for NIMH, Eli Lilly, Lexicor, McNeil Pediatrics, Shire, Abbott Laboratories, Cephalon, Johnson & Johnson, New River, and Sigma-Tau.

Dr. José A. Bauermeister and Dr. Martínez have no financial disclosures to report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Science Research Institute and Department of Psychology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico

    José J. Bauermeister

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Russell A. Barkley

  3. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    José A. Bauermeister

  4. Department of Psychology, Carlos Albizu University, San Juan, Puerto Rico

    José V. Martínez

  5. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Keith McBurnett

  6. University of Puerto Rico, 177 Las Caobas St, San Juan, 00927, Puerto Rico

    José J. Bauermeister

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  1. José J. Bauermeister
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  3. José A. Bauermeister
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Correspondence to José J. Bauermeister.

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Bauermeister, J.J., Barkley, R.A., Bauermeister, J.A. et al. Validity of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Inattention, and Hyperactivity Symptom Dimensions: Neuropsychological and Psychosocial Correlates. J Abnorm Child Psychol 40, 683–697 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-011-9602-7

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