Psychometric properties of Lecavalier Behavioral Inflexibility Scale in autistic children

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of Lecavalier Behavioral Inflexibility Scale in autistic children. Research method was descriptive survey of instrument standardization type. The statistical population consisted of 1400 autistic children aged 3 to 12 years in Isfahan, from among whom 450 children were randomly selected and 430 of them were included in statistical analysis according to inclusion and exit criteria of the study. In exploratory factor analysis, 230 individuals and confirmatory factor analysis 200 autistic children aged 3 to 12 years were included separately. Research instruments were GARS Autism Symptoms Diagnostic Scale and Lecavalier Behavioral inflexibility Scale. Data were analyzed with SPSS26 and AMOS24 software using correlation coefficient, heuristic and confirmatory factor analysis. Results of exploratory factor analysis showed six factors respond to changes, which were routines and rituals, tendency to be restrictive, response to novelty, response to uncertainty, oversensitivity to ambient events with specific values ​​higher than one that 55.986% of  total variance of structure explain behavioral inflexibility. Results of first-order confirmatory factor analysis showed all indices were PCFI = 0.851, PNFI = 0.809, CMIN / DF = 1.876, RMSEA = 0.051, IFI = 0.954, CFI = 0.954, GFI =0.920 confirmed proper fit of final model so factors obtained from the scale were appropriate. Internal stability of components of Behavioral Inflexibility Scale was higher than 0.7, indicating acceptable consistency of components of structure. Convergent validity of proposed model scales (CR >0.60), divergent validity (AVE> ASV and MSV) were appropriate. Persian version of Lecavalier Behavioral Inflexibility Scale had acceptable validity and reliability and measures 6 factors.