The External Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Versus Inattention in Behavioral, Social Interaction, and Academic Performance Measures

Abstract

Background: The main objective was to replicate data on the external validity of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) dimension, versus ADHD Inattention (IN), with the Spanish version of the Child and Adolescent Behavior Inventory (CABI) SCT subscale [Cuestionario sobre el Comportamiento de Niños] (Burns et al., 2015). Method: 273 mothers and 255 fathers evaluated their 9 to13 year old children on SCT, IN and other CABI internalizing, externalizing, academic impairment and social interaction measures. Results: As hypothesized, the relationship between SCT and externalizing measures, in contrast to IN, was practically nonexistent, whereas both measures were related to internalizing and social interaction measures. Thus, the unique predictive capacity of SCT and IN was significant and similar on internalizing measures, except in the case of shyness, where SCT was better, while IN was better on externalizing measures. Conclusions: The data largely replicated previous results: SCT, despite its relationship with IN, is capable of predicting a significant proportion of anxiety, depression, and excessive shyness problems and, unlike IN, functions as a protective measure for externalizing problems.