Confirming the Factor Structure of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adult, Nonclinical Samples

Sherry A. Span; Mitchell Earleywine; Thomas Z. Strybel

doi:10.1023/A:1015396926356

Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment

June 2002, Volume 24, Issue 2, pp 129–136

Confirming the Factor Structure of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adult, Nonclinical Samples

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Authors and affiliations

Sherry A. SpanEmail author
Mitchell Earleywine
Thomas Z. Strybel

Article

DOI: 10.1023/A:1015396926356

Cite this article as:: Span, S.A., Earleywine, M. & Strybel, T.Z. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment (2002) 24: 129. doi:10.1023/A:1015396926356

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Abstract

Three separate models have been proposed to describe the factor structure of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the past 20 years. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III (DSM-III, 1980) proposed 3 separate factors of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The DSM-III-R (1987) proposed a single factor. The DSM-IV (1994) described the disorder as having 2 factors: hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention. The following 2 studies employed confirmatory factor analysis to compare each of these models and 3 alternative models. University students completed questionnaires that assessed each of the 18 symptoms listed in the DSM-IV for ADHD. The 3-factor model fit the data significantly better than each of the other models in both studies. These findings suggest that a 3-factor model of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity describes adult ADHD symptoms better than current alternatives.

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)factor structureconfirmatory factor analysis

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Authors and Affiliations

Sherry A. Span
- 1
Email author
Mitchell Earleywine
- 2
Thomas Z. Strybel
- 1

1.Psychology DepartmentCalifornia State University Long BeachLong Beach
2.Psychology DepartmentUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles

Confirming the Factor Structure of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adult, Nonclinical Samples

Abstract

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