The factor structure of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in schoolchildren

Trine Wigh Arildskov; Anne Virring; Rikke Lambek; Anders Helles Carlsen; Edmund J.S. Sonuga-Barke; Søren D. Østergaard; Per Hove Thomsen

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104220

The factor structure of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in schoolchildren

Trine Wigh Arildskov, Anne Virring, Rikke Lambek, Anders Helles Carlsen, Edmund J.S. Sonuga-Barke, Søren D. Østergaard, Per Hove Thomsen

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Most studies support a bifactor model of childhood ADHD with two specific factors. However, several studies have not compared this model with a bifactor model with three specific factors, few have tested the actual strength of the factors, and none have examined whether "talks excessively" should be treated as a hyperactivity versus impulsivity symptom in children with ADHD. AIMS: To examine the factor structure of ADHD symptoms and evaluate the relative strength of potential factors. METHODS: Parent-reports on the ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS-IV) were collected for 2044 schoolchildren from the general population and 147 children with ADHD from a clinical sample. Single-, two- and three-(correlated and bi-)factor models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: Most models had a satisfactory fit. However, a correlated three-factor model where "talks excessively" was included as an indicator of impulsivity, and especially a bifactor model with one strong, well-defined general and two/three (ICD-10 defined) weak specific factors fit the data slightly better than the remaining models. CONCLUSIONS: The factor structure is best characterized by a bifactor model with a strong general factor and two/three weaker specific factors. Therefore, we suggest emphasizing the ADHD-RS-IV total score rather than the subscale scores in clinical practice.

Original language	English
Article number	104220
Pages (from-to)	104220
Number of pages	1
Journal	Research in developmental disabilities
Volume	125
Early online date	21 Apr 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104220
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2022

Keywords

ADHD
ADHD-RS
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Bifactor model
Children
Confirmatory factor analysis

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Cite this

@article{30ffba01d4494b30bdab14aeba2da45a,

title = "The factor structure of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in schoolchildren",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Most studies support a bifactor model of childhood ADHD with two specific factors. However, several studies have not compared this model with a bifactor model with three specific factors, few have tested the actual strength of the factors, and none have examined whether {"}talks excessively{"} should be treated as a hyperactivity versus impulsivity symptom in children with ADHD. AIMS: To examine the factor structure of ADHD symptoms and evaluate the relative strength of potential factors. METHODS: Parent-reports on the ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS-IV) were collected for 2044 schoolchildren from the general population and 147 children with ADHD from a clinical sample. Single-, two- and three-(correlated and bi-)factor models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: Most models had a satisfactory fit. However, a correlated three-factor model where {"}talks excessively{"} was included as an indicator of impulsivity, and especially a bifactor model with one strong, well-defined general and two/three (ICD-10 defined) weak specific factors fit the data slightly better than the remaining models. CONCLUSIONS: The factor structure is best characterized by a bifactor model with a strong general factor and two/three weaker specific factors. Therefore, we suggest emphasizing the ADHD-RS-IV total score rather than the subscale scores in clinical practice.",

keywords = "ADHD, ADHD-RS, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Bifactor model, Children, Confirmatory factor analysis",

author = "Arildskov, {Trine Wigh} and Anne Virring and Rikke Lambek and Carlsen, {Anders Helles} and Sonuga-Barke, {Edmund J.S.} and {\O}stergaard, {S{\o}ren D.} and Thomsen, {Per Hove}",

note = "Funding Information: The project was funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant number: NNF15OC0017706 ); the Lundbeck Foundation (grant number: R208-2015-3329 ); the A.P. M{\o}ller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Science (grant number: 15-15 ); the Research Foundation for the Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Central Denmark Region ( BUC16-TWA, BUC17-TWA ); the Graduate School of Health at Aarhus University (no grant number); the Psychiatric Research Foundation for the Central Denmark Region (no grant number); the Riisfort Foundation (no grant number); and the Br{\o}drene Hartmanns Foundation (grant number: R69-A28284-B23205 ). Rikke Lambek has received research support from Fru C. Hermansens Mindelegat (grant number: 962-0001 ) and TrygFonden (grant number: 151504 ). S{\o}ren D. {\O}stergaard is supported by grants from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant number: NNF20SA0062874 ), the Lundbeck Foundation (grant numbers: R358-2020-2341 and R344-2020-1073 ), The Danish Cancer Society ( R283-A16461 ), and Independent Research Fund Denmark (grant number: 7016-00048B ). The funders had no involvement in the design of the study; the data collection; the statistical analyses and interpretation of the results; or the writing and approval of and the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Authors",

year = "2022",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104220",

language = "English",

volume = "125",

pages = "104220",

journal = "Research in developmental disabilities",

issn = "1873-3379",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - The factor structure of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in schoolchildren

AU - Arildskov, Trine Wigh

AU - Virring, Anne

AU - Lambek, Rikke

AU - Carlsen, Anders Helles

AU - Sonuga-Barke, Edmund J.S.

AU - Østergaard, Søren D.

AU - Thomsen, Per Hove

N1 - Funding Information: The project was funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant number: NNF15OC0017706 ); the Lundbeck Foundation (grant number: R208-2015-3329 ); the A.P. Møller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Science (grant number: 15-15 ); the Research Foundation for the Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Central Denmark Region ( BUC16-TWA, BUC17-TWA ); the Graduate School of Health at Aarhus University (no grant number); the Psychiatric Research Foundation for the Central Denmark Region (no grant number); the Riisfort Foundation (no grant number); and the Brødrene Hartmanns Foundation (grant number: R69-A28284-B23205 ). Rikke Lambek has received research support from Fru C. Hermansens Mindelegat (grant number: 962-0001 ) and TrygFonden (grant number: 151504 ). Søren D. Østergaard is supported by grants from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant number: NNF20SA0062874 ), the Lundbeck Foundation (grant numbers: R358-2020-2341 and R344-2020-1073 ), The Danish Cancer Society ( R283-A16461 ), and Independent Research Fund Denmark (grant number: 7016-00048B ). The funders had no involvement in the design of the study; the data collection; the statistical analyses and interpretation of the results; or the writing and approval of and the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors

PY - 2022/6/1

Y1 - 2022/6/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Most studies support a bifactor model of childhood ADHD with two specific factors. However, several studies have not compared this model with a bifactor model with three specific factors, few have tested the actual strength of the factors, and none have examined whether "talks excessively" should be treated as a hyperactivity versus impulsivity symptom in children with ADHD. AIMS: To examine the factor structure of ADHD symptoms and evaluate the relative strength of potential factors. METHODS: Parent-reports on the ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS-IV) were collected for 2044 schoolchildren from the general population and 147 children with ADHD from a clinical sample. Single-, two- and three-(correlated and bi-)factor models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: Most models had a satisfactory fit. However, a correlated three-factor model where "talks excessively" was included as an indicator of impulsivity, and especially a bifactor model with one strong, well-defined general and two/three (ICD-10 defined) weak specific factors fit the data slightly better than the remaining models. CONCLUSIONS: The factor structure is best characterized by a bifactor model with a strong general factor and two/three weaker specific factors. Therefore, we suggest emphasizing the ADHD-RS-IV total score rather than the subscale scores in clinical practice.

AB - BACKGROUND: Most studies support a bifactor model of childhood ADHD with two specific factors. However, several studies have not compared this model with a bifactor model with three specific factors, few have tested the actual strength of the factors, and none have examined whether "talks excessively" should be treated as a hyperactivity versus impulsivity symptom in children with ADHD. AIMS: To examine the factor structure of ADHD symptoms and evaluate the relative strength of potential factors. METHODS: Parent-reports on the ADHD-Rating Scale (ADHD-RS-IV) were collected for 2044 schoolchildren from the general population and 147 children with ADHD from a clinical sample. Single-, two- and three-(correlated and bi-)factor models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: Most models had a satisfactory fit. However, a correlated three-factor model where "talks excessively" was included as an indicator of impulsivity, and especially a bifactor model with one strong, well-defined general and two/three (ICD-10 defined) weak specific factors fit the data slightly better than the remaining models. CONCLUSIONS: The factor structure is best characterized by a bifactor model with a strong general factor and two/three weaker specific factors. Therefore, we suggest emphasizing the ADHD-RS-IV total score rather than the subscale scores in clinical practice.

KW - ADHD

KW - ADHD-RS

KW - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

KW - Bifactor model

KW - Children

KW - Confirmatory factor analysis

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85129778837&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104220

DO - 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104220

M3 - Article

C2 - 35462238

AN - SCOPUS:85129778837

SN - 1873-3379

VL - 125

SP - 104220

JO - Research in developmental disabilities

JF - Research in developmental disabilities

M1 - 104220

ER -

The factor structure of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in schoolchildren

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Keywords

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