title: Factorial validation and reliability analysis of the Brain Fag Syndrome Scale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brain fag is an indigenous psychopathology or culture-bound syndrome formally documented in Nigeria in the 1960's by Raymond Prince.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The need for a factorial examination of the scale to ensure factorial validity and also to examine the reliability of this screening scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred thirty four (234) participants with ages between 11 - 20 years with a mean age of 14.20 and a Standard Deviation of 2.14 of which 114 were from a private secondary school and 120 from a public secondary school were randomly selected and administered the Brain Fag Syndrome Scale [BFSS]. The data was subjected to factor analysis using Principal Component Analysis with Oblim Rotation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two valid factors emerged with items 1-3 and items 4, 5 & 7 loading on them respectively, making the BFSS a two-dimensional (multidimensional) scale which measures 2 aspects of brain fag [labeled burning sensation and crawling sensation respectively]. The reliability analysis yielded a Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.521, and a standardized item alpha of 0.528 estimated its internal consistency. Also, the BFSS was correlated with other tests to establish its concurrent validity [convergent and divergent].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BFSS is a valid and reliable two-dimensional instrument to assess brain fag syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria. wobola@yahoo.com
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Ola
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Igbokwe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003469:Culture; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005222:Mental Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008606:Mental Processes; D009549:Nigeria; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011932:Reading; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013577:Syndrome; D055815:Young Adult