Validation of the Italian Version of the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire (BIQ) for Preschool Children

Francesca Agostini, Mariagrazia Benassi, Marianna Minelli, Luca Mandolesi, Sara Giovagnoli and Erica Neri
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Francesca Agostini: Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Mariagrazia Benassi: Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Marianna Minelli: Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Luca Mandolesi: Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Sara Giovagnoli: Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Erica Neri: Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-21

Abstract: Behavioral Inhibition (BI) is a temperamental trait characterized by fear and wariness in reaction to new and unfamiliar stimuli, both social and non-social. BI has been recognized as possible forerunner of anxiety disorders, especially social anxiety and phobia; therefore, its assessment is clinically relevant. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Italian adaptation of the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire (BIQ), which measures BI in preschool children. The BIQ was completed by 417 Italian parents (230 mothers, 187 fathers) of 270 preschoolers aged 3–5. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good internal validity: the factorial structure was corresponding to the original six-factor version. Results showed excellent internal consistency, significant item-total correlations, good inter-rater reliability, convergent validity (by correlating the BIQ with the Italian Questionnaires of Temperament-QUIT, the Anxiety-Shy Conner’s Scale and the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery) and discriminant validity (i.e., no correlation with Conners’ ADHD scale). Significant correlations emerged between BI indexes and total BIQ scores of parents and maternal (but not paternal) versions of the questionnaire. Altogether, the results are promising and consistent with previous validation studies, suggesting the BIQ as a reliable and valid measure for evaluating parents’ perception of BI in Italian preschoolers.

Keywords: temperament; behavioral inhibition; anxiety; preschool children; Italian sample; psychometrics; behavioral inhibition questionnaire/BIQ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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