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Discriminant validity of the Conners’ scales for ADHD subtypes

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Abstract

Differential diagnosis and treatment of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) remains difficult and controversial, particularly when children present with concomitant academic and behavior problems. Describing a sample of 184 chil-dren referred for evaluation in a university-affiliated outpatient pediatric clinic, this study subsequently examined the discriminant validity of the Conners’ parent and teacher rating scales for ADHD subtypes with and without comorbid conditions. Although discriminant analyses suggest several Conners’ subscales help differentiate subtypes, multimethod evaluations using a variety of data sources are necessary for accurate identification and classification of the disorder with and without comorbid conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA

    James B. Hale Ph.D.

  2. Minnesota State University, Moorhead

    Sarah K. How

  3. Dayton Children’s Medical Center, USA

    Mary Beth Dewitt

  4. Columbus Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University Medical School, USA

    Daniel L. Coury

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  1. James B. Hale Ph.D.
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  2. Sarah K. How
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Correspondence to James B. Hale Ph.D..

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These data were previously reported at the 107th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Boston, Massachusetts. The authors express gratitude to Ross D. Crosby, Ph.D., Director of Biomedical Statistics and Methodology at the Neuropsychiatrie Research Institute, for his pre-submission review of the article.

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Hale, J.B., How, S.K., Dewitt, M.B. et al. Discriminant validity of the Conners’ scales for ADHD subtypes. Curr Psychol 20, 231–249 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-001-1009-0

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