title: Dimensionality, hierarchical structure, age generalizability, and criterion validity of the GAIN's Behavioral Complexity Scale.
abstract: This study used Rasch measurement model criteria and traditional psychometric strategies to examine key psychometric properties of the Behavioral Complexity Scale (BCS), a widely used measure of externalizing disorders that focuses on attention deficit, hyperactivity, and conduct disorders. With a sample of 7,435 persons being screened for substance use disorders, the BCS was found to (a) be unidimensional, (b) have a hierarchical severity structure, (c) be generalizable to both youths and adults, and (d) meet hypothesized correlations with criterion variables. The BCS performed well as a unidimensional measure. The Rasch severity hierarchy of attention deficit to hyperactivity to conduct disorders provided a perspective that suggested that a dimensional measure could be used as an alternative and, in some ways, as an improvement to categorical diagnosis and common dimensional approaches. The finding of 3 low-severity conduct disorder items also supported a revision of categorical criteria, especially in substance use disorders.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago and Chestnut Health Systems, Normal, IL, USA. kjconrad@uic.edu
authors.forename: Kendon J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.forename: Barth B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Rod
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Funk
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dennis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult