Parent-Reported BIS/BAS Scales for Children: Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance Across Age and Gender

Abstract

The present study examined the factor structure and measurement invariance of the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System (BIS/BAS) scales parent-report in children and adolescents ( N = 1,444, 58% girls) across age (Group 1, 2-5 years; Group 2, 6-9 years; Group 3, 10-13 years; Group 4, 14-18 years old) and gender. The results consistently underscored a four-factor structure, resembling the original factor structure, with one BIS-factor and three BAS-factors. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis showed full measurement invariance across gender as well as across Group 1 and 2, and Group 2 and 3. Strong measurement invariance was found across Group 3 and 4, Group 1 and 3, and Group 2 and 4. Configural and metric invariance was found across Group 1 and 4. Hence, mean-level BIS/BAS scores can be compared across gender and age although comparison between preschool children (Group 1) and late secondary school children (Group 4) should be done with caution.

BIS/BAS Scale in Primary School Children: Parent-Child Agreement and Longitudinal Stability

“…Similar to previous studies, the BASFS subscale was less reliable in the current study. Further, the four-factor structure of the PR reported by Vervoort et al (2017) was confirmed for the PR2013. Remarkably, the fit was not adequate in 2011.…”

“…A satisfactory external validity and Cronbach's αs of 0.76 for BIS, 0.86 for BAS, 0.85 for BASD, 0.74 for BASRR, and 0.57 for BASFS were reported. A principal component analysis supported the original four-factor structure (Vervoort et al, 2017).…”

The Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System Scales: Measurement Invariance Across Gender in Chinese University Students

“…Since the initial model was not well fitted to the data (TLI was slightly below 0.9), the model was modified based on both the modification indices reported by Mplus 8.3 and substantive significance to improve the fit of the model, which was consistent with the literature ( Yu et al, 2011 ; Vervoort et al, 2019 ). In the current study, an error covariance correlation between item 2 (“When I’m doing well at something, I love to keep at it.”) and item 4 (“When I get something I want, I feel excited and energized.”) was allowed.…”

“…In other words, the comparison of means between men and women could be problematic if we do not assess the measurement invariance (MI) of the instrument ( Vandenberg and Lance, 2000 ). Some studies have examined the MI of BIS/BAS scales across genders ( Campbell-Sills et al, 2004 ; Morean et al, 2014 ; Pagliaccio et al, 2016 ; Vervoort et al, 2019 ; Toro et al, 2020 ). To date, however, no study has verified MI of the Chinese version of the BIS/BAS scales across gender.…”

Using confidence interval-based estimation of relevance to explore bottom-up and top-down determinants of problematic eating behavior in children and adolescents with obesity from a dual pathway perspective

“…In the present sample, internal consistency of scale is good (Cronbach's  = .84). The BAS-scale gives valid parent-report indices of bottom-up reward sensitivity in children and adolescents, as shown by the meaningful relations with instruments assessing related personality traits and psychopathological symptoms (Vandeweghe, Matton, et al, 2016;Vervoort et al, 2019;Vervoort et al, 2015).…”