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

The role of cognitive disengagement syndrome in non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the relationship between Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) and non-suicidal self injury (NSSI) in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHODS

A semi-structured psychiatric interview and an NSSI screening questionnaire were conducted. Questionnaires assessing CDS (with daydreamer, sleepy, and slow subdimensions), depression, anxiety, self-esteem, emotion regulation, coping strategies, and loneliness were administered.

RESULTS

Among 104 participants (n: 63, 60.6% girls), the combined type of ADHD was the most common (66.3%), and 35 adolescents (27 girls) were in the NSSI+ group. Although only depression and ADHD were found to be predictors of NSSI in ADHD, CDS was associated with many risk factors of NSSI in ADHD: depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, low self-esteem, and emotion-oriented coping ways. After controlling for the effects of cognitive problems/inattentiveness, depression, and anxiety, CDS still correlated with low self-esteem and emotion dysregulation. The daydreamer and slow sub-dimensions of CSD differed between NSSI+ and NSSI- groups, while sleepy did not.

CONCLUSIONS

CDS is associated with several relevant factors, indirectly relating it to self-harm in ADHD. CDS increases the vulnerability to mental health changes that could lead to NSSI in adolescence with ADHD.

Bibliometric Trends and Thematic Areas in Research on Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome in Children: A Comprehensive Review

This study aims to explore trends and principal research areas in the literature on Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) in children aged 0-17 from a macro perspective. A total of 236 studies, selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, formed the data source for this research. We conducted a bibliometric analysis to examine the growth of CDS literature and to identify the most productive countries, relevant journals and publications, and trending topics. Additionally, through content analysis, we identified general research themes, sample trends, and methodologies used in these studies. Our findings reveal that the relatively new field of CDS research is expanding. Our thematic analysis shows that the literature on CDS covers a broad spectrum of research topics, addressing various facets of the syndrome and identifying current research themes. The existing studies highlight the complex nature of CDS and its diverse cognitive, psychological, and neurological impacts. Our results also suggest that while research is more prevalent in certain age groups, there is a need to encompass a wider demographic range, considering CDS's potential impact across different life stages. This bibliometric analysis offers a comprehensive review of the current knowledge in the CDS field, providing a valuable resource for researchers. Our analyses and findings can guide future research in this area and suggest approaches for broader study frameworks. It is anticipated that ongoing and future research in the CDS field will incorporate these insights to more effectively address the syndrome's varied aspects and consequences.

Examining cognitive disengagement syndrome in a psychiatric outpatient sample: Psychometric support and associations with internalizing symptoms and sleep problems

OBJECTIVE

The internal (structural) and external validity of a self-report measure of cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS, formerly sluggish cognitive tempo) relative to a self-report measure of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-inattention (ADHD-IN) was evaluated with adults from university outpatient psychiatric clinics in Turkey.

METHODS

A total of 274 outpatients (75.9% women; ages 18-64 years; Mage  = 31.06; SDage  = 10.84; 50.4% anxiety disorders; 41.6% depressive disorders; 2.9% ADHD; 1.5% sleep disorders; 0.7% eating disorders; 2.9% no mental disorder) completed self-report measures of CDS, ADHD-IN, ADHD-hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI), sleep problems, depression, and stress.

RESULTS

All 15 CDS symptoms measured by the Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI) showed convergent (moderate to high loadings on the CDS factor) and discriminant (loading close to zero on the ADHD-IN factor) validity. CDS also showed stronger first-order and unique associations than ADHD-IN with sleep problems, depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas ADHD-IN showed stronger first-order and unique associations than CDS with ADHD-HI.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to provide support for the scores from this 15 item self-report measure of CDS by the ACI in a clinical sample of adults, with findings consistent with previous studies examining parent and teacher rating scale measures with the same 15 CDS symptoms. These findings provide additional support for usefulness of these 15 CDS symptoms as measured by the ACI to study CDS across various cultures.

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Self Report Scale (SCT-SR): Development and Initial Validation Study

OBJECTIVE

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) is a psychological construct consisting of daydreaming, confusion, slowness in movements, lethargy, and low motivation. It is important to develop a self-report scale to evaluate SCT symptoms in children and adolescents in order to meet the following needs; (1) Considering the closeness of SCT symptoms with internalized symptoms, it can provide more reliable information, (2) It allows information to be obtained from multiple informants, and (3) The main symptoms of SCT include subjective experiences such as daydreaming and mind wandering that may be difficult to observe from the outside. Therefore, it was aimed to develop a self-report SCT scale.

METHOD

A total of 467 adolescents and 178 parents participated in the study. Data were collected with scales.

RESULTS

The scale consists of 20 items and a single factor. Factor loadings were between 0.60 and 0.81.

CONCLUSION

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Self-Report Scale is a valid and reliable self-report scale.