Factor structure of symptom dimensions in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Abstract

There is disagreement on whether attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are best characterized along two dimensions consisting of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity or three dimensions where hyperactivity and impulsivity are separate. To address this, the current study investigated the underlying symptom dimensions of ADHD by examining two- and three-factor models of ADHD symptom ratings in 400 children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD symptom ratings for each of the 18 DSM-IV Criteria A symptoms were obtained from mothers using a standardized symptom rating scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine whether the 18 symptoms were best explained by two or three latent constructs. Results of the CFA demonstrated that a three-factor model was superior to a two-factor model. Findings support three distinct symptom dimensions that are consistent with previous research demonstrating unique clinical presentations of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Differentiating between these three domains may aid in predicting behavioral outcomes in children with ADHD.

Attention Networks in ADHD Adults after Working Memory Training with a Dual n-Back Task

“…It could be argued that ADHD diagnoses exist on a continuum rather than as separate categories on the assumption of symptom ratings distributions (e.g., subscales scores) could correct some weaknesses of the DSM categorical criteria. Indeed, the dimensional approach of ADHD severity symptoms for discussion of diagnostic issues has been in the focus of DSM-V following several studies showing inconsistencies to support the discrimination of subtypes of DSM-IV ADHD, in particular ADHD-I and ADHD-C [ 94 , 95 , 96 ]. We analyzed the correlations between RTs and the four scores and we showed that the more severe the symptoms the longer the RT, thus providing arguments that ADHD diagnoses is associated with ADHD severity on a continuum.…”

The ADHD Concomitant Difficulties Scale (ADHD-CDS), a Brief Scale to Measure Comorbidity Associated to ADHD

“…It is clear that ADHD is a clinical and neuropsychological heterogeneous disorder. At the clinical level, the two main ADHD dimensions described in DSM (i.e., inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity) are widely validated, although the bidimensional model of ADHD has been recently questioned ( Parke et al, 2016 ). Further, the validity of the three nominal subtypes (i.e., the predominantly hyperactive/impulsive subtype, the predominantly inattentive subtype, and the combined subtype) is also under debate ( Willcutt et al, 2012 ).…”

Preliminary psychometric characteristics of the Serbian adaptation of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale: ASRS-v1.1 and ASRS-5

“…Međutim, u prethodnim proverama (npr. Parke et al, 2015) je sugerisana trofaktorska struktura, pri čemu druga skala sadrži dva faktora -hiperaktivnost (6 ajtema) i impulsivnost (3 ajtema). Ispitanici procenjuju učestalost simptoma na petostepenoj skali Likertovog tipa (od 0 = nikad do 4 = veoma često) za period od prethodnih 6 meseci.…”

“…Pouzdanost ASRS-v1.1 skale u prethodnim istraživanjima je dobra, α = .88, a supskala .83 (Adler et al, 2006). Međutim, u nekim istraživanjima je dvofaktorska struktura dovedena u pitanje, te predložena trofaktorska struktura prema kojoj se faktor hiperaktivnosti/impulsivnosti razdvaja na dva faktora (Parke et al, 2015;Span, Earleywine, & Strybel, 2002). Kao što je spomenuto, ponuđena je i kraća verzija ASRS-v1.1 od 6 ajtema (4 koja se odnose na nepažnju i 2 koja se odnose na hiperaktivnost/impulsivnost, tačnije na aspekt hiperaktivnosti).…”