Japanese Version of the Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System Scale for Children: Scale Development and Examination of Reliability and Validity

Abstract

The present study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System Scale for Children (BIS/BAS Scale for Children) and to examine its reliability and validity. Elementary school students from the 3rd to 6th grades (N＝1,624) completed questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the scale had a 4-factor structure, corresponding to the original version of the BIS/BAS scales. The scale showed close to adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability; however, the Cronbach’s of the BAS fun-seeking subscale was low. The BIS scale was correlated positively with depression and negatively with extroversion and neuroticism. The BAS scale was correlated positively with aggressive behavior and extroversion and negatively with depression and neuroticism. These results suggest that the Japanese version of the Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System Scale for Children has construct validity.