Factor Analysis of the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

The Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form (NCBRF) is a behavior rating scale designed for children and adolescents with mental retardation. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the NCBRF in a sample of 330 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Parent and teacher ratings were independently submitted to both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. As reported with the original validation study, parent and teacher versions shared similar but somewhat different factor structures. Social competence items showed more similarity with the original solutions than did problem behavior items. Problem behavior items were distributed into a somewhat simpler five-factor solution for both rating forms. Self-injurious and stereotypic items loaded on two distinct subscales for the teacher form, but not on the parent form. Factor loadings and internal consistencies were generally lower than those reported for the original versions but still within the acceptable range. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated good fits for the social competence items and acceptable fits for the problem behavior items. Overall, results supported the construct validity of the NCBRF in children and adolescents with ASDs.