Psychometric Properties of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale in a Turkish Sample of Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) has been proposed as a serious problem of attention, however there no validated psychometric measures for its evaluation in Turkish in a community sample. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric characteristics of the first SCT scale in Turkish in children and adolescents. A total of 418 children and adolescents between the ages of 6-18 years (9.83 +/- 2.8) were recruited. The data was obtained from parents using Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The SCT scale-Turkish form demonstrated very good internal homogeneity (Cronbach's alpha = .90), good test-retest reliability (r = .98), good concurrent validity (rrange = .35- .65) and good construct validity. Goodness of fit indices were found to be acceptable and statistically significant associations were found between SDQ and SCT scales. The SCT scale is a valid and reliable instrument in Turkish children and adolescents.