Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire: Factor Structure Based on CFA and ESEM, and Associations with ADHD
Abstract Revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (r RST) of personality is a major neuropsychological theory of motivation, emotion and personality. This paper presents the results of a study examining: (1) the factor structure of the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST PQ) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and (2) the relationships of the r RST constructs in the RST PQ with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom groups of inattention (IA) and hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI) A total of 572 (Sample 1) and 309 (Sample 2) adults completed the RST PQ. Participants in Sample 2 also completed a questionnaire measuring ADHD symptoms. Results revealed more support for the ESEM model with six factors than the CFA model. For both the ESEM and CFA models, both IA and HI symptom groups were associated positively with the RST PQ constructs of behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral approach system (BAS) Impulsivity, with IA also associated negatively with the BAS Goal Drive Persistence. The theoretical implications of these findings for understanding the factor structure of the RST PQ, and for ADHD (IA and HI) in terms of r RST, are discussed.
Journal of personality assessment