The discriminant validity of the stroop color and word test: Toward a cost-effective strategy to distinguish subgroups of disruptive preadolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the discriminant validity of the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) in screening between subgroups of disruptive children. Sixteen disruptive boys with symptoms of attention deficit (AD) were compared to a group of 16 disruptive boys without attention deficit (DIS) and to 16 controls (CO). A stepwise discriminant function analysis indicated that the AD group was significantly distinct (had a lower score) in comparison to the DIS and CO on the color-word score. The AD group also showed more hesitations on the color-word card than did controls. Implications for assessment of disruptive children with the SCWT in elementary schools are discussed.