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Measuring flexibility in autistic adults: Exploring the factor structure of the flexibility scale self report
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Measuring flexibility in autistic adults: Exploring the factor structure of the flexibility scale self report

Matthew J. Hollocks, Goldie A. McQuaid, Benjamin E. Yerys, John F. Strang, Laura G. Anthony, Lauren Kenworthy, Nancy R. Lee and Gregory L. Wallace
Autism research
12 Sep 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3025
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3025View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access (License Unspecified),  Open

Abstract

Abstract Cognitive flexibility differences are common for autistic individuals and have an impact on a range of clinical outcomes. However, there is currently a lack of well validated measurement tools to assess flexibility in adulthood. The Flexibility Scale was originally designed as a parent‐report measure of real‐world flexibility challenges in youth. The original Flexibility Scale provides a total score and five subscales: Routines and Rituals, Transitions and Change, Special Interests, Social Flexibility, and Generativity. In this study, we evaluate the factorial validity of the Flexibility Scale as a self‐report (Flexibility Scale Self Report) measure of cognitive flexibility, adapted from the original Flexibility Scale, for use by autistic adults. This study includes both a primary sample ( n = 813; mean age = 40.3; 59% female) and an independently recruited replication sample ( n = 120; mean age = 32.8; 74% female) of individuals who completed the Flexibility Scale Self Report. The analysis consisted of an initial confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the original Flexibility Scale structure, followed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and factor optimization within a structural equation modeling framework to identify the optimal structure for the questionnaire in adults. The identified structure was then replicated through CFA in the replication sample. Our results indicate an alternative optimal scale structure from the original Flexibility Scale, which includes fewer items, and only three (Routines/Rituals, Transitions and Change, Special Interests) of the five subscales contributing to the flexibility total score. Comparisons revealed no structural differences within the scale based on sex assigned at birth. Here the Generativity and Social Flexibility scales are treated as independent but related scales. The implications for measurement of cognitive flexibility in clinical and research settings, as well as theoretical underpinnings are discussed. Lay Abstract Differences in levels of cognitive flexibility are commonly described by autistic people and are thought to be associated with a range of clinical outcomes. Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to change the way you think to respond to different situations. There are currently no validated self‐report measures of flexibility for use by autistic adults. This study takes an existing questionnaire (the Flexibility Scale) which was designed for young people and tests its use as a self‐report questionnaire for autistic adults. The original Flexibility Scale provides a total score and five subscales: Routines and Rituals, Transitions and Change, Special Interests, Social Flexibility, and Generativity. We conducted factor analyses in two separate groups, the second being used to replicate our initial findings. Factor analysis is a statistical approach that can be used to identify the subscales that exist within a questionnaire and therefore helps us identify the best way in which the Flexibility Scale can be used with adults. Our results found a different structure from the original Flexibility Scale, which includes fewer items, and only three of the original five subscales. The implications for measurement of flexibility in clinical and research settings are discussed.

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13 Record Views
7 citations in Web of Science
4 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Behavioral Sciences
Psychology, Developmental
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