Abstract
My commentary is organized into four sections. First, I summarize the reasons for the original interest in fitting symmetric bifactor models to ADHD data. Second, I summarize the concerns that Burns and colleagues raised with respect to fitting symmetric bifactor models to ADHD item-level data and describe their recommended alternative approach. Third, I raise two concerns that I had with their manuscript. Fourth, I conclude with a caveat and a general question about the merits of the continued study of the factor structure of ADHD symptoms.
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Notes
For brevity, I ignore models that consider three specific factors for inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Most studies combine hyperactivity-impulsivity into a single factor. This distinction is not relevant to the ideas that are developed here.
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Willoughby, M.T. Commentary on Application of the Bifactor S-1 Model to Multisource Ratings of ADHD/ODD Symptoms: An Appropriate Bifactor Model for Symptom Ratings. J Abnorm Child Psychol 48, 901–904 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00629-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-020-00629-4