Development and Initial Validation of the Multi-Dimensional Attention Rating Scale in Highly Educated Adults.
- Author:
Xin-Yang ZHANG
1
;
Karen SPRUYT
2
;
Jia-Yue SI
1
;
Lin-Lin ZHANG
1
;
Ting-Ting WU
1
;
Yan-Nan LIU
1
;
Di-Ga GAN
1
;
Yu-Xin HU
1
;
Si-Yu LIU
1
;
Teng GAO
1
;
Yi ZHONG
1
;
Yao GE
1
;
Zhe LI
1
;
Zi-Yan LIN
1
;
Yan-Ping BAO
1
;
Xue-Qin WANG
3
;
Yu-Feng WANG
1
;
Lin LU
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Validation Study
- Keywords: Attention Network Test; Attentional Control Scale; Toronto Hospital Alertness Test; attention
- MeSH: Humans; Adult; Male; Attention/physiology*; Female; Middle Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Young Adult; Psychometrics
- From: Chinese Medical Sciences Journal 2025;40(2):100-110
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:To report the development, validation, and findings of the Multi-dimensional Attention Rating Scale (MARS), a self-report tool crafted to evaluate six-dimension attention levels.
METHODS:The MARS was developed based on Classical Test Theory (CTT). Totally 202 highly educated healthy adult participants were recruited for reliability and validity tests. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability. Structural validity was explored using principal component analysis. Criterion validity was analyzed by correlating MARS scores with the Toronto Hospital Alertness Test (THAT), the Attentional Control Scale (ACS), and the Attention Network Test (ANT).
RESULTS:The MARS comprises 12 items spanning six distinct dimensions of attention: focused attention, sustained attention, shifting attention, selective attention, divided attention, and response inhibition.As assessed by six experts, the content validation index (CVI) was 0.95, the Cronbach's alpha for the MARS was 0.78, and the test-retest reliability was 0.81. Four factors were identified (cumulative variance contribution rate 68.79%). The total score of MARS was correlated positively with THAT (r = 0.60, P < 0.01) and ACS (r = 0.78, P < 0.01) and negatively with ANT's reaction time for alerting (r = -0.31, P = 0.049).
CONCLUSIONS:The MARS can reliably and validly assess six-dimension attention levels in real-world settings and is expected to be a new tool for assessing multi-dimensional attention impairments in different mental disorders.
