Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian Version of the Behavioral Inhibition Instrument (BII) and Associations With Psychopathological Symptoms

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate psychometric properties of the Behavioral Inhibition Instrument (BII) and their association with depression and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents. Eight hundred and thirty-eight students aged 9-18 years (M=12.89, SD=2.10) from a community sample answered the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the BII and self-report questionnaires of depression and anxiety symptoms. Results showed the prevalence of children and adolescents in the high behavioral inhibition (BI) category was 16.6%. The BII presented satisfactory psychometric properties with higher levels of BI being correlated to higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms, especially social phobia symptoms. Also participants with higher BI scores were more likely to present anxiety symptoms in a subclinical or clinical range, especially for social phobia. Implications for early preventive interventions are briefly discussed.