Author/Authors :
Ola, BA Lagos State University - College of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences - Department of Behavioural Medicine, Nigeria , Igbokwe, DO Covenant University - School of Human Resource Development, College of Development Studies - Psychology Department, Nigeria , ola, b.a. department of behavioural medicine,faculty of clinical sciences,lagos state university college of medicine, Nigeria , igbokwe, d.o. psychology department,school of human resource development,college of development studies,covenant university,canaanland,ota, Nigeria
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 them 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
