The Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-Adolescent) Using a Nonclinical Sample in Hong Kon

Objectives. As there has been no study examining the Autism Quotient Adolescent's psychometric properties such as reliability and factor structure using Chinese sample, our study aims at exploring its psychometric properties using the Hong Kong non-clinical sample. Scores by gender and by subject would also be examined. Method. The parent-reported AQ Adolescent questionnaire was translated into Chinese. Questionnaires were given to a local bilingual secondary school who then distributed the questionnaires to students through their class teachers. The students were instructed to give the questionnaire to their parents who completed the form anonymously at home. The students then returned the completed questionnaire to their school teachers within a week after distribution. Results. The reliability of the total scale and two of the subscales (social skills and attention to details) reached the satisfactory level. The data did not support the 5-factor model as introduced by Baron-Cohen et al. (2001). Using the exploratory factor analysis, a four-factor solution with 30 items was proposed. The new four factors were attention to details, mind-reading, social skills and communication with adequate reliability. Attention to details achieved higher reliability and was inversely correlated with social skills and communication. Significant gender difference at total scale was found while for upper form students, those who studied more mathematical/science subjects did not score higher than those studied less. Conclusions. Similar to other research findings, the five-factor model was not supported. The construct "attention to details" may need further exploration as the Hong Kong adolescents may exhibit higher attention to details as continuously shaped by the local examination setting. A further discriminative study would be necessary to confirm this observation and ratify the need for an indigenous assessment with consideration of the local cultural factors.