A-172 Behavioral Survey of Traits: Reliability with a Neurotypical Sample

• Published in: Archives of clinical neuropsychology 2021-08, Vol.36 (6), p.1227-1227
• Main Authors: Larson, Kera, Carlson, Katie, Morgan, Kait, Kessler, Robert, Marvin, Lydia, Andrews, Glena L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1873-5843; 1873-5843
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acab062.190

ObjectiveBehavioral Survey of Traits (BeST; Andrews & Robins, 2010) is a measure used to detect behavior profiles consistent with prenatal alcohol exposure in children. This study sought to create a control group of neurotypical individuals over the age of 18, to assess reliability of adapted BeST Adult-Self-Report (BeST-ASR) and Adult-Other (BeST-AO). MethodsA sample (n = 51, paired sample n = 23) of neurotypical adults were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study. Participants (ages 20–60, M = 33.6, SD = 14.4) included 13 women and 10 men with 82.6% identifying as White/European-American, 8.7% Black or African American, and 8.7% Mixed-Race. Each participant provided demographics and completed a BeST-ASR for themselves, and asked another individual who knew them well to complete BeST-AO. ResultsFor the paired sample, a total score for BeST-ASR (M = 49.5, SD = 12.9) and the BeST-AO (M = 23.5, SD =10.8) were calculated. No significant differences were found for age or gender on the screeners. BeST-ASR and BeST-AO total scores were significantly different (ASR M = 51.3, AO M = 23). Measures of internal consistency produced a Cronbach’s Alpha (α = 0.84) for the BeST-ASR and a (α = 0.89) for the BeST-AO. ConclusionThe BeST is an established measure used to screen behavior profiles consistent with FASD. The adult adapted screeners were found to have high internal consistency with a neurotypical sample. Differences evaluated between the self and other needs further study, which is consistent in a probation sample (Mushlitz, 2019). Overall, high internal consistency is encouraging and warrants further study to understand scores in a neurotypical adult sample.