title: Do the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Autism Spectrum Quotient Short Form (AQ-S) Primarily Reflect General ASD Traits or Specific ASD Traits? A Bi-Factor Analysis.
abstract: In the current study, we fit confirmatory bi-factor models to the items of the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Autism Spectrum Quotient Short Form (AQ-S) in order to assess the extents to which the items of each reflect general versus specific factors. The models were fit in a combined sample of individuals with and without a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. Results indicated that, with the exception of the Attention to Details factor in the AQ and the Numbers/Patterns factors in the AQ-S, items primarily reflected a general factor. This suggests that when attempting to estimate an association between a specific symptom measured by the AQ or AQ-S and some criterion, associations will be confounded by the general factor. To resolve this, we recommend using a bi-factor measurement model or factor scores from a bi-factor measurement whenever hypotheses about specific symptoms are being assessed.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Aja Louise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Northumbria, Newcastle, NE, UK.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.affiliation: 3 NHS Fife, Fife, UK.
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuenssberg
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Booth
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: autism spectrum quotient; bi-factor; confounding; psychometric