Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the autism diagnostic interview-revised

J Autism Dev Disord. 2008 Mar;38(3):474-80. doi: 10.1007/s10803-007-0415-z. Epub 2007 Jul 6.

Abstract

The factor structure of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) algorithm items was examined using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) factor methods. The ADI-R was completed for 1,170 youths and adults (ages 2-46). Results of EFAs indicated strong support for two-factor structure, with social communication and stereotyped behavior factors. CFAs computed in a holdout sub-sample indicated roughly equal support for the above described two-factor model and a three factor model separating peer relationships and play from other social and communicative behaviors. Multi-group CFAs suggested that both two and three factor models showed good stability across age, with only slight changes in factor relationships. These findings indicate that the current ADI-R structure be revised to more accurately reflect the relationships between sub-scales.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autistic Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological*
  • Male