Repetitive Behaviour Questionnaire (RBQ-2)

Overview

The Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire (RBQ-2) is a 20-item parent-report measure of restricted and repetitive behaviours (e.g., repetitive movements, unusual sensory responses, restricted interests, routines and rituals).

Scoring & Interpretation

The RBQ-2 includes 20 items. Responses are available with four options 1= never, 2= one or more times daily, 3= 15 or more times daily (or at least once an hour) 4= 30 or more times daily (or twice an hour). However when calulating total and subscale scores responses 3 and 4 have been combined with the use of response 4 optional. Total scores can be added to give a Total Repetitive Behaviours Score ranging from 20-60 (with responses 3 and 4 combined). Factor subscales include Factor 1 - Repetitive Motor Movements (items: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), Factor 2 - Rigidity/Adherence to Routine (items: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19), Factor 3 - Preoccupation with Restricted Patterns of Interest (tems: 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 17), and Factor 4 - Unusual Sensory Interest (items: 8, 9, 10, 18). Note: Item 20 was not included in the factor analysis as it had a response scale that differed from the remaining items. Mean scores for the four subscales are obtained by adding up scores for each factor and dividing by the number of items within that factor. Scores can also be summarised into two factors including Factor 1 – Motor/Sensory Behaviours. (items: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) Factor 2 – Rigidity/Routines/Preoccupation with Restricted Interests. (items: 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19). Note Items 7 and 12 were not included in the two-factor summary due to issues of cross-loading.

Psychometric Properties

Internal Consistency

In a sample of UK parents of children aged 2-3 years Cronbach alpha for the total score and four subscales was .7 or above - except sensory interest which was .66.

Test-Retest Reliability

Factor Structure

Exploratory factor analysis revealed adequate fit for both a four factor and two factor model. The four factors included 1. Repetitive motor movements , 2. Rigidity/adherence to routine, 3. Preoccupation with restricted patterns of interest, 4. Unusual sensory interest. The two factor model included 1. Motor sensory behaviours and 2. Rigidity/routines/preccupation with restricted interests.

Validity

Measurement Invariance

Access

This measure was produced by Cardiff University’s Wales Autism Research Centre. Comprehensive information about the RBQ-3 including the Administration Manual, as well as a PDF copy of the questionnaires are available for download on their website. Clinicians, researchers, and others interested in accessing the RBQ-3 can download it for free.
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/psychology/research/impact/measuring-repetitive-behaviours-across-the-lifespan

References

Arnott B, McConachie H, Meins E, Fernyhough C, Couteur AL, Turner M et al. The frequency of restricted and repetitive behaviors in a community sample of 15-Month-Old infants. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2010;31(3).

Barrett SL, Uljarevic M, Baker EK, Richdale AL, Jones CR, Leekam SR. (2015) The adult repetitive behaviours Questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2A): a self-report measure of restricted and repetitive behaviours. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(11):3680–92.

Lidstone J, Uljarevic M, Sullivan J, Rodgers J, McConachie H, Freeston M, et al. Relations among restricted and repetitive behaviors, anxiety and sensory features in children with autism spectrum disorders. Res Autism Spectr Disorders. 2014;8:82–92.

Uljarević M, Arnott B, Carrington SJ, Meins E, Fernyhough C, McConachie H, et al. Development of restricted and repetitive behaviors from 15 to 77 months: Stability of two distinct subtypes? Dev Psychol. 2017;53(10):1859–68.