Factorial validation and reliability analysis of the brain fag syndrome scale

BA Ola, DO Igbokwe

Abstract

Background: Brain fag is an indigenous psychopathology or culture-bound syndrome formally documented in Nigeria in the 1960’s by Raymond Prince.

Objective: The need for a factorial examination of the scale to ensure factorial validity and also to examine the reliability of this screening scale.

Methods: Two hundred thirty four (234) participants with ages between 11 – 20 years with a mean age of 14.20 and a Standard Deviation of 2.14 of which 114 were from a private secondary school and 120 from a public secondary school were randomly selected and administered the Brain Fag Syndrome Scale [BFSS]. The data was subjected to factor analysis using Principal Component Analysis with Oblim Rotation.

Results: Two valid factors emerged with items 1-3 and items 4, 5 & 7 loading on respectively, making the BFSS a twodimensional (multidimensional) scale which measures 2 aspects of brain fag [labeled burning sensation and crawling sensation respectively]. The reliability analysis yielded a Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.521, and a standardized item alpha of 0.528 estimated its internal consistency. Also, the BFSS was correlated with other tests to establish its concurrent validity [convergent and divergent].

Conclusion: BFSS is a valid and reliable two-dimensional instrument to assess brain fag syndrome.

Keywords: Culture-bound syndrome, Validation, Brain Fag, Students