(PS8-B49) Measuring Parents’ Perceptions of Their Children’s Experiences of Boredom

Boredom is a ubiquitous experience that many find aversive. Indeed, studies have shown that individuals prefer to shock themselves rather than tolerate boredom (Havermans et al., 2015; Nederkoom et al., 2016). Moreover, frequent experiences of boredom are associated with greater levels of impairment and psychopathology (Freund et al., 2021; Spaeth et al., 2015). Evidence suggests that individuals with high levels of trait boredom (i.e., a personality-based predisposition to experiencing boredom) are especially at risk for adverse outcomes (Danckert & Eastwood, 2020; Danckert et al., 2018). Notably, research on boredom has focused on adolescents and adults, with only a handful of studies investigating boredom in children. As a result, there are no parent-report measures of trait boredom or boredom intolerance. It is crucial to gain an understanding of children’s experiences of boredom and boredom’s clinical correlates in this age group, especially since rates of boredom have risen over the last decade (Weybright et al., 2020) and it was cited as a predominant problem for children during the COVID-19 pandemic (Orgilés et al., 2020; Panda et al., 2020). Thus, the aim of the current study was to extend the Trait Boredom Scale, developed for adults, to school-age children (as a parent report measure) and develop a parent-report measure of boredom intolerance based on existing measures of distress intolerance.
Experts in the field of boredom and child psychopathology generated items based on a review of the relevant literature and existing measures (described above) as well as a delineation of the constructs being assessed. Three data sets (N = 777, N = 580, N = 584) of parents of children ages 6­–10 were recruited using Prolific. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted after the first two recruitment waves; results from these analyses were used to refine and revise the items and determine which ones to retain. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted after the third recruitment wave. Data are currently being collected via Prolific to assess reliability and validity of the final versions of the scales; data collection and analyses will be completed before the ABCT convention.
Findings supported a 6-item Trait Boredom Scale – Parent Report (TBS-P) and a 9-item Boredom Intolerance Scale ­­– Parent Report (BIS-P); these items best captured the constructs and had adequate model fit. Data on the psychometric properties of the new measures, including internal consistency and construct validity, will be presented.

To better understand children’s experiences of boredom, we must have evidence-based assessment tools. The findings of the current study provide preliminary support for parent-report measures of trait boredom and boredom intolerance in school-age children. Given the adverse outcomes associated with boredom and the importance of early intervention, measures of boredom in this age group are needed as they can facilitate research in this area. Limitations of the measures and methodology as well as directions for future research (e.g., examining the psychometric properties of the measures across racial/ethnic groups) will be discussed.