Abstract
While it is widely recognized that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persists into adulthood, methods of assessment for adults are decidedly less well studied than those used with children and adolescents, and this includes the commonly used self-report measures. The assessment of ADHD in adults intrinsically poses certain challenges that are less often present for children and adolescents, one of them being that, in at least some cases, self-report of ADHD symptoms, impairment, and related phenomena may be nearly the only data that are available. Even in cases where collateral informants are available, self-report measures represent an efficient screening tool, at the least, for use in clinical assessment. The current chapter reviews common self-report instruments for ADHD symptoms, related impairments, executive functioning, and quality of life (QoL), including a focus on reliability data for key instruments, which should provide the reader with several good options for use in practice or research. Common challenges to the effective use of self-report measures (e.g., nonvalid responses) are also considered.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Other changes to diagnostic criteria were also made in the DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5 transition, but they concern the aspects of pervasiveness and impairment of symptoms, rather than the symptoms themselves.
- 2.
Utility of the CAARS for correctly identifying cases of ADHD in college students has been questionable in other studies, as well (Harrison et al., 2019).
References
Adler, L. A., Shaw, D. M., Spencer, T. J., Newcorn, J. H., Hammerness, P., Sitt, D. J., Minerly, C., Davidow, J. V., & Faraone, S. V. (2012). Preliminary Examination of the Reliability and Concurrent Validity of the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale v1.1 Symptom Checklist to Rate Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 22(3), 238–244. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2011.0062
Advokat, C. D., Guidry, D., & Martino, L. (2008). Licit and illicit use of medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in undergraduate college students. Journal of American College Health, 56(6), 601–606. https://doi.org/10.3200/JACH.56.6.601-606
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Author.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Author.
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev. ed.). Author.
Baars, M. A. E., Bijvank, M. N., Tonnaer, G. H., & Jolles, J. (2015). Self-report measures of executive functioning are a determinant of academic performance in first-year students at a university of applied sciences. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1131. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01131
Barkley, R. A. (1998). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (2nd ed.). Guilford.
Barkley, R. A. (2011a). Barkley adult ADHD Rating Scale–IV (BAARS-IV). Guilford.
Barkley, R. A. (2011b). Barkley deficits in executive functioning scale (BDEFS). Guilford.
Barkley, R. A. (2011c). Barkley functional impairment scale (BFIS). Guilford.
Barkley, R. A. (2012). Distinguishing sluggish cognitive tempo from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 121(4), 978–990. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023961
Barkley, R. A. (2013). A plea to rename sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) as concentration deficit disorder (CDD). ADHD Report, 21(7), 1–4. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1521/adhd.2013.21.7.1
Barkley, R. A. (2015). Concentration deficit disorder (sluggish cognitive tempo). In R. A. Barkley (Ed.), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed., pp. 435–452). Guilford.
Barkley, R. A. (2016). Measuring impairment with the Barkley functional impairment scales. In S. Goldstein & J. A. Naglieri (Eds.), Assessing impairment: From theory to practice (2nd ed., pp. 257–273). Springer.
Barkley, R. A., & Murphy, K. R. (2006). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A clinical workbook. Guilford.
Barkley, R. A., Murphy, K. R., & Fischer, M. (2007). ADHD in adults: What the science says. Guilford.
Barkley, R. A., Knouse, L. E., & Murphy, K. R. (2011). Correspondence and disparity in the self- and other ratings of current and childhood ADHD symptoms and impairment in adults with ADHD. Psychological Assessment, 23(2), 437–446. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022172
Beach, D. A. (1989). Identifying the random responder. Journal of Psychology, 123(1), 101–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.1989.10542966
Ben-Sheetrit, J., Zurawel, M., Weizman, A., & Manor, I. (2019). Symptoms versus impairment in adults with ADHD: Intercorrelations of the BRIEF-A, CAARS, and TOVA. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(13), 1557–1566. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716682334
Biederman, J., Mick, E., & Faraone, S. V. (2000). Age-dependent decline of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Impact of remission definition and symptom type. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157(5), 816–818. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.157.5.816
Biederman, J., Fitzgerald, M., Spencer, T. J., Adler, L. A., Abrams, J., Biederman, I., & Faraone, S. V. (2020). Informativeness of self-reports of ADHD symptoms in monitoring response to stimulant treatment in clinically referred adults with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 24(3), 420–424. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054718776425
Bonomi, A. E., Patrick, D. L., Bushnell, D. M., & Martin, M. (2000). Validation of the United States’ version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 53(1), 13–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0895-4356(99)00123-7
Boonstra, A. M., Oosterlaan, J., Sergeant, J. A., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2005). Executive functioning in adult ADHD: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Medicine, 35(8), 1097–1108. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1017/S003329170500499X
Brod, M., Perwien, A., Adler, L., Spencer, T., & Johnston, J. (2005). Conceptualization and assessment of quality of life for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Primary Psychiatry, 12(6), 58–64.
Brod, M., Johnston, J., Able, S., & Swindle, R. (2006). Validation of the adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Quality-of-Life Scale (AAQoL): A disease-specific quality-of-life measure. Quality of Life Research, 15(1), 117–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-8325-z
Brown, T. E. (1996). Brown attention-deficit disorder scales. Pearson.
Brown Clinic for Attention & Related Disorders. (2022). Brown executive function/attention scales. https://www.brownadhdclinic.com/brown-rating-scales
Bryant, A. M., Lee, E., Howell, A., Morgan, B., Cook, C. M., Patel, K., Menatti, A., Clark, R., Buelow, M. T., & Suhr, J. A. (2018). The vulnerability of self-reported disability measures to malingering: A simulated ADHD study. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 32(1), 109–118. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1080/13854046.2017.1346145
Butcher, J. N., Graham, J. R., Ben-Porath, Y. S., Tellegen, A., Dahlstrom, W. G., & Kaemmer, B. (2001). MMPI-2: Manual for administration and scoring (Rev. ed.). University of Minnesota Press.
Caci, H. M., Bouchez, J., & Baylé, F. J. (2010). An aid for diagnosing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder at adulthood: Psychometric properties of the French versions of two Wender Utah Rating Scales (WURS-25 and WURS-K). Comprehensive Psychiatry, 51(3), 325–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2009.05.006
Calamia, M., Hill, B. D., Musso, M. W., Pella, R. D., Gouvier, W., & D. (2018). Factor structure and clinical correlates of the 61-item Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS). ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 10(3), 177–188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-018-0251-3
Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance [CADDRA]. (2021). Canadian ADHD practice guidelines (4.1) (p. 122). Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance.
Canu, W. H., & Carlson, C. L. (2003). Differences in heterosocial behavior and outcomes of ADHD-symptomatic subtypes in a college sample. Journal of Attention Disorders, 6(3), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.1177/108705470300600304
Canu, W. H., & Carlson, C. L. (2007). Rejection sensitivity and social outcomes of young adult men with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 10(3), 261–275. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054706288106
Canu, W. H., Hartung, C. M., Stevens, A. E., & Lefler, E. K. (2020). Psychometric properties of the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale: Evidence for utility in research, assessment, and treatment of ADHD in emerging adults. Journal of Attention Disorders, 24(12), 1648–1660. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/1087054716661421
Combs, M. A., Canu, W. H., Broman-Fulks, J. J., & Nieman, D. C. (2014). Impact of sluggish cognitive tempo and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms on adults’ quality of life. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 9(4), 981–995. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-013-9281-3
Conners, C. K., Erhardt, D., & Sparrow, E. (1999). Conners’ CAARS adult ADHD rating scales: Technical manual. Multi-Health Systems, Inc. (MHS).
Conners, C. K., Pitkanen, J., & Rzepa, S. R. (2008). Conners 3. Pearson.
Dehili, V. M., Prevatt, F., & Coffman, T. P. (2013). An analysis of the Barkley deficits in executive functioning scale in a college population: Does it predict symptoms of ADHD better than a visual-search task? Journal of Attention Disorders, 21(7), 567–574. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/1087054713498932
Dose, C., Hautmann, C., & Doepfner, M. (2019). Functional impairment in children with externalizing behavior disorders: Psychometric properties of the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale–Parent Report in a German clinical sample. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(13), 1546–1556. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716661234
DuPaul, G. J., Power, T. J., Anastopoulos, A. D., & Reid, R. (1998). ADHD rating scale-IV: Checklists, norms, and clinical interpretation. Guilford.
Epstein, J. N., & Loren, R. E. A. (2013). Changes in the definition of ADHD in DSM-5: Subtle but important. Neuropsychiatry (London), 3(5), 455–458. https://doi.org/10.2217/npy.13.59
Faraone, S. V., & Antshel, K. M. (2008). Diagnosing and treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults. World Psychiatry, 7(3), 131–136. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2008.tb00179.x
Fedele, D. A., Hartung, C. M., Canu, W. H., & Wilkowski, B. M. (2010). Potential symptoms of ADHD for emerging adults. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 32, 385–396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-009-9173-x
Fenwick, M., & McCrimmon, A. W. (2015). Review of comprehensive executive function inventory. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 30(1), 64–69. http://dx.doi.org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/0829573514546318
Flannery, A. J., Luebbe, A. M., & Becker, S. P. (2017). Sluggish cognitive tempo is associated with poorer study skills, more executive functioning deficits, and greater impairment in college students. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(9), 1091–1113. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1002/jclp.22406
Fossati, A., Di Ceglie, A., Acquarini, E., Donati, D., Donini, M., Novella, L., & Maffei, C. (2001). The retrospective assessment of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: Reliability and validity of the Italian version of the Wender Utah Rating Scale. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 42(4), 326–336. https://doi.org/10.1053/comp.2001.24584
Fuermaier, A. B. M., Tucha, O., Koerts, J., Butzbach, M., Weisbrod, M., Aschenbrenner, S., & Tucha, L. (2018). Susceptibility of functional impairment scales to noncredible responses in the clinical evaluation of adult ADHD. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 32(4), 671–680. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2017.1406143
Fuller-Killgore, M. D., Burlison, J., & Dwyer, W. (2012). Comparison of three ADHD screening instruments in college students of varying cognitive ability. Journal of Attention Disorders, 17(5), 449–454. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054712438136
Gift, T. E., Reimherr, M. L., Marchant, B. K., Steans, T. A., & Reimherr, F. W. (2021). Wender Utah Rating Scale: Psychometrics, clinical utility and implications regarding the elements of ADHD. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 135, 181–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.01.013
Gjervan, B., & Nordahl, H. M. (2010). The adult ADHD quality of life questionnaire (AAQoL): A new disease specific measure for assessment of ADHD. Nordic Psychology, 62(1), 24–36. https://doi.org/10.1027/1901-2276/a000003
Green, J. G., DeYoung, G., Wogan, M. E., Wolf, E. J., Lane, K. L., & Adler, L. A. (2019). Evidence for the reliability and preliminary validity of the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS v1.1) screener in an adolescent community sample. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 28(1), e1751. https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1751
Greenberg, L. M. (2011). The Test of Variables of Attention (Version 8.0) [Computer software]. Langley, WA: The TOVA Company.
Guldberg-Kjär, T., & Johansson, B. (2015). ADHD symptoms across the lifespan: A comparison of symptoms captured by the Wender and Barkley scales and DSM-IV criteria in a population-based Swedish sample aged 65 to 80. Journal of Attention Disorders, 19(5), 390–404. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/1087054713514853
Hadianfard, H., Kiani, B., & Weiss, M. D. (2019). Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Weiss functional impairment rating scale–self-report form in Iranian adolescents. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(13), 1600–1609. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054717738084
Harrison, A. G., & Edwards, M. J. (2010). Symptom exaggeration in post-secondary students: Preliminary base rates in a Canadian sample. Applied Neuropsychology, 17(2), 135–143. https://doi.org/10.1080/09084281003715642
Harrison, A. G., Rosenblum, Y., & Currie, S. (2010). Examining unusual digit span performance in a population of postsecondary students assessed for academic difficulties. Assessment, 17, 283–293. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191109348590
Harrison, A. G., Nay, S., & Armstrong, I. T. (2019). Diagnostic accuracy of the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale in a postsecondary population. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(14), 1829–1837. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/1087054715625299
Hartung, C. M., Canu, W. H., Cleveland, C. S., Lefler, E. K., Mignogna, M. J., Fedele, D. A., Correia, C. J., & Clapp, J. D. (2013). Stimulant medication use in college students: Comparison of appropriate users, misusers, and non-users. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27, 832–840. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033822
Hartung, C. M., Lefler, E. K., Canu, W. H., Stevens, A. E., Jaconis, M., LaCount, P. A., Shelton, C. R., Leopold, D. R., & Willcutt, E. G. (2016). DSM-5 and other symptom thresholds for ADHD: Which is the best predictor of impairment in college students. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(13), 1637–1646. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716629216
Hartung, C. M., Canu, W. H., Serrano, J. W., Vasko, J. M., Stevens, A. E., Abu-Ramadan, T. M., Bodalski, E. A., Neger, E. N., Bridges, R. M., Gleason, L. L., Anzalone, C., & Flory, K. (2022). A new organizational and study skills intervention for college students with ADHD. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 29(2), 411–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2020.09.005
Hartung, C. H., Shelton, C. R., Abu-Ramadan, T. M., & Canu, W. H. (2022). Proposed terminology to distinguish adult-onset from late-identified ADHD: A preliminary effort in a large survey of adults aged 18 to 80. ADHD Report, 30(6), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1521/adhd.2022.30.6.1.
Haugan, A.-L. J., Sund, A. M., Thomsen, P. H., Lydersen, S., & Nøvik, T. S. (2021). Psychometric properties of the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale parent and self-reports in a Norwegian clinical sample of adolescents treated for ADHD. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 75(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2020.1795252
Hauser, D. J., & Schwarz, N. (2015). It’s a trap! Instructional manipulation checks prompt systematic thinking on “tricky” tasks (Vol. 5). SAGE Open. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/2158244015584617
Hoelzle, J. B., Ritchie, K. A., Marshall, P. S., Vogt, E. M., & Marra, D. E. (2019). Erroneous conclusions: The impact of failing to identify invalid symptom presentation when conducting adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) research. Psychological Assessment, 31(9), 1174–1179. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1037/pas0000752.supp (Supplemental)
Kakubo, S. M., Mendez, M., Silveira, J. D., Maringolo, L., Nitta, C., Silveira, D. X. d., & Fidalgo, T. M. (2018). Translation and validation of the Brown attention-deficit disorder scale for use in Brazil: Identifying cases of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among samples of substance users and non-users. Cross-cultural validation study. Sao Paulo Medical Journal, 136(2), 157–164. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2017.0227121217
Kamradt, J. M., Ullsperger, J. M., & Nikolas, M. A. (2014). Executive function assessment and adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Tasks versus ratings on the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale. Psychological Assessment, 26(4), 1095–1105. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1037/pas0000006
Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Ames, M., Demler, O., Faraone, S., Hiripi, E., Howes, M. J., Jin, R., Secnik, K., Spencer, T., Ustun, T. B., & Walters, E. E. (2005). The World Health Organization adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS): A short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245–256. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291704002892
Knouse, L. E., & Mitchell, J. T. (2015). Incautiously Optimistic: Positively Valenced Cognitive Avoidance in Adult ADHD. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 22(2), 192–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2014.06.003
Knouse, L. E., Mitchell, J. T., Kimbrel, N. A., & Anastopoulos, A. D. (2019). Development and evaluation of the ADHD Cognitions Scale for adults. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(10), 1090–1100. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054717707580
Kooij, J. J. S., Boonstra, A. M., Swinkels, S. H. N., Bekker, E. M., de Noord, I., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2008). Reliability, validity, and utility of instruments for self-report and informant report concerning symptoms of ADHD in adult patients. Journal of Attention Disorders, 11(4), 445–458. http://dx.doi.org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/1087054707299367
Kouros, I., Horberg, N., Ekselius, L., & Ramklint, M. (2018). Wender Utah Rating Scale-25 (WURS-25): Psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of the Swedish translation. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 123, 230–236. https://doi.org/10.1080/03009734.2018.1515797
Lefler, E. K., Stevens, A. E., Garner, A. M., Serrano, J. W., Canu, W. H., & Hartung, C. M. (2020). Changes in college student endorsement of ADHD symptoms across DSM edition. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 42, 488–499. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-020-09797-5
Lefler, E. K., Flory, K., Canu, W. H., Willcutt, E. G., & Hartung, C. M. (2021). Unique considerations in the assessment of ADHD in college students. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 43(4), 352–369. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2021.1936462
Lewandowski, L. J., Lovett, B. J., & Gordon, M. (2016). Measurement of symptom severity and impairment. In S. Goldstein & J. A. Naglieri (Eds.), Assessing impairment: From theory to practice (2nd ed., pp. 229–245). Springer.
Lovett, B. J., & Harrison, A. G. (2021). Assessing adult ADHD: New research and perspectives. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 43(4), 333–339.
Lovett, B. J., Ferrier, D. E., Wang, T., & Jordan, A. H. (2021). Adult ADHD self-report scale screener ratings in college students: Concurrent validity and test-retest reliability. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 39(8), 1015–1019. http://dx.doi.org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/07342829211034367
Lundervold, A. J., Vartiainen, H., Jensen, D., & Haavik, J. (2021). Test–retest reliability of the 25-item version of Wender Utah Rating Scale. Impact of current ADHD severity on retrospectively assessed childhood symptoms. Journal of Attention Disorders, 25(7), 1001–1009. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054719879501
Matza, L. S., Johnston, J. A., Faries, D. E., Malley, K. G., & Brod, M. (2007). Responsiveness of the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Quality of Life Scale (AAQoL). Quality of Life Research, 16(9), 1511–1520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9254-9
Matza, L. S., Van Brunt, D. L., Cates, C., & Murray, L. T. (2011). Test–retest reliability of two patient-report measures for use in adults with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 15(7), 557–563. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054710372488
McGill, R. J. (2014). Assessing psychosocial impairment in children and adolescents: A review of the Barkley Functional Impairment Scale (BFIS). Contemporary School Psychology, 18(4), 255–260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-014-0029-3
Mehringer, A. M., Downey, K. K., Schuh, L. M., Pomerleau, C. S., Snedecor, S. M., & Schubiner, H. (2002). The assessment of hyperactivity and attention: Development and preliminary validation of a brief self-assessment of adult ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 5(4), 223–231. https://doi.org/10.1177/108705470100500404
Mitchell, J. T., Knouse, L. E., Nelson-Gray, R. O., & Kwapil, T. R. (2009). Self-reported ADHD symptoms among college students: Item positioning affects symptom endorsement rates. Journal of Attention Disorders, 13(2), 154–160. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054708326266
Mueller, A. K., Fuermaier, A. B., Koerts, J., & Tucha, L. (2012). Stigma in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 4(3), 101–114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-012-0085-3
Mulraney, M., Arrondo, G., Musullulu, H., Iturmendi-Sabater, I., Cortese, S., Westwood, S. J., Donno, F., Banaschewski, T., Simonoff, E., Zuddas, A., Döpfner, M., Hinshaw, S. P. & Coghill, D. (2021). Systematic review and meta-analysis: Screening tools for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 61(8), 982–996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2021.11.031
Naglieri, J. A., & Das, J. P. (1997). Comprehensive executive function inventory. Multi-Health Systems.
Naglieri, J. A., & Goldstein, S. (2013). Comprehensive Executive Function Inventory: Manual. Multi-Health Systems.
Nelson, J. M., & Lovett, B. J. (2019). Assessing ADHD in college students: Integrating multiple evidence sources with symptom and performance validity data. Psychological Assessment, 31(6), 793–804. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1037/pas0000702
O’Donnell, J. P., McCann, K. K., & Pluth, S. (2001). Assessing adult ADHD using a self-report symptom checklist. Psychological Reports, 88, 871–881. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.2001.88.3.871
Öncü, B., Ölmez, Ş., & Şentürk, V. (2005). Validity and reliability of Turkish version of Wender-Utah Rating Scale for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in adults. Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi, 16(4).
Pearson. (2019). Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales: About the Brown EF/A Scales. Pearson.
Rabiner, D. L., Anastopoulos, A. D., Costello, E. J., McCabe, S. E., & Swartzwelder, H. S. (2009). The misuse and diversion of prescribed ADHD medications by college students. Journal of Attention Disorders, 13(2), 144–153. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054708320414
Ramsay, J. R. (2015). Psychological assessment of adults with ADHD. In R. A. Barkley (Ed.), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed., pp. 475–500). Guilford.
Retz-Junginger, P., Retz, W., Blocher, D., Stieglitz, R.-D., Georg, T., Supprian, T., Wender, P. H., & Rösler, M. (2003). Reliability and validity of the Wender-Utah-Rating-Scale short form. Retrospective assessment of symptoms for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Der Nervenarzt, 74(11), 987–993. MEDLINE. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-002-1447-4
Reynolds, C. R., & Kamphaus, R. W. (2015). BASC 3: Behavior assessment system for children (3rd ed.). Manual. Pearson, PsychCorp.
Rösler, M., Retz, W., Thome, J., Schneider, M., Stieglitz, R.-D., & Falkai, P. (2006). Psychopathological rating scales for diagnostic use in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 256(S1), i3–i11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-006-1001-7
Roth, R. M., Isquith, P. K., & Gioia, G. A. (2005). BRIEF-A: Behavior rating inventory of executive function – Adult Version: Professional Manual. PAR.
Rucklidge, J. J., Tannock, R., Rucklidge, J., & Tannock, R. (2002). Validity of the Brown ADD scales: An investigation in a predominantly inattentive ADHD adolescent sample with and without reading disabilities. Journal of Attention Disorders, 5(3), 155–164. https://doi.org/10.1177/108705470200500303
Sasser, T., Schoenfelder, E. N., & Stein, M. A. (2017). Targeting functional impairments in the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD. CNS Drugs, 31(2), 97–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-016-0400-1
Shamon, H., & Berning, C. (2021). Attention check items and instructions in online surveys with incentivized and non-incentivized samples: Boon or bane for data quality? Survey Research Methods, 14(1), 55–77. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.18148/srm/2020.v14i1.7374
Sibley, M. H. (2021). Empirically-informed guidelines for first-time adult ADHD diagnosis. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 43(4), 340–351. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2021.1923665
Sibley, M. H., Pelham, W. E., Jr., Molina, B. S. G., Gnagy, E. M., Waxmonsky, J. G., Waschbusch, D. A., Derefinko, K. J., Wymbs, B. T., Garefino, A. C., Babinski, D. E., & Kuriyan, A. B. (2012). When diagnosing ADHD in young adults emphasize informant reports, DSM items, and impairment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(6), 1052–1061. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1037/a0029098
Sibley, M. H., Rohde, L. A., Swanson, J. M., Hechtman, L. T., Molina, B. S., Mitchell, J., & T…Stehli, A. (2018). Late-onset ADHD reconsidered with comprehensive repeated assessments between ages 10 and 25. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175, 140–149. https://doi.org/10.1176/appl.ajp.2017.17030298
Silverstein, M. J., Alperin, S., Faraone, S. V., Kessler, R. C., & Adler, L. A. (2018). Test–retest reliability of the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1 Screener in non-ADHD controls from a primary care physician practice. Family Practice, 35(3), 336–341. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmx115
Solanto, M. V. (2015). Executive function deficits in adults with ADHD. In R. A. Barkley (Ed.), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (4th ed., pp. 256–266).
Solanto, M. V. (2021). Late-onset ADHD: A review of the evidence. ADHD Report, 29, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1521/adhd.2021.29.8.1
Somma, A., Adler, L. A., Gialdi, G., Arteconi, M., Cotilli, E., & Fossati, A. (2021). The validity of the World Health Organization adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder self-report screening scale for diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition in adolescence. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 31(9), 631–638. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2020.0158
Suhr, J., Hammers, D., Dobbins-Buckland, K., Zimak, E., & Hughes, C. (2008). The relationship of malingering test failure to self-reported symptoms and neuropsychological findings in adults referred for ADHD evaluation. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 23(5), 521–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acn.2008.05.003
Suhr, J. A., Cook, C., & Morgan, B. (2017). Assessing functional impairment in ADHD: Concerns for validity of self-report. Psychological Injury and Law, 10(2), 151–160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12207-017-9292-8
Sullivan, B. K., May, K., & Galbally, L. (2007). Symptom exaggeration by college adults in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disorder assessments. Applied Neuropsychology, 14, 189–207. https://doi.org/10.1080/09084280701509083
Taylor, A., Deb, S., & Unwin, G. (2011). Scales for the identification of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(3), 924–938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2010.12.036
The WHOQOL Group. (1998). The World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL): Development and general psychometric properties. Social Science & Medicine, 46(5), 1569–1585. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(98)00009-4
Tombaugh, T. N. (1996). Test of memory malingering: TOMM. Multi-Health Systems.
Tucha, L., Fuermaier, A. B. M., Koerts, J., Groen, Y., & Thome, J. (2015). Detection of feigned attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Neural Transmission, 122(Suppl 1), S124–S134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-014-1274-3
Unstun, B., Adler, L. A., Rudin, C., Faraone, S. V., Spencer, T. J., Berglund, P., Gruber, M. J., & Kessler, R. C. (2017). The World Health Organization adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder self-report screening scale for DSM-5. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(5), 520–526. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0298
Wallace, E. R., Garcia-Willingham, N. E., Walls, B. D., Bosch, C. M., Balthrop, K. C., & Berry, D. T. R. (2019). A meta-analysis of malingering detection measures for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Psychological Assessment, 31(2), 265–270. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1037/pas0000659.supp
Ward, M. F., Wender, P. H., & Reimherr, F. W. (1993). The Wender Utah Rating Scale: An aid in the retrospective diagnosis of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 150(6), 885–890. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.150.6.885
Weiss, M. D. (2000). Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS) self-report. University of British Columbia. Retrieved from naceonline.com/AdultADHDtoolkit/assessmenttools/wfirs.pdf
Wierzbicki, M. (2005). Reliability and validity of the Wender Utah Rating Scale for college students. Psychological Reports, 96(3), 833–839. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.96.3.833-839
Young, J. C., & Gross, A. M. (2011). Detection of response bias and noncredible performance in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 26(3), 165–175. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acr013
Zhang, S.-Y., Qiu, S.-W., Pan, M.-R., Zhao, M.-J., Zhao, R.-J., Liu, L., Li, H.-M., Wang, Y.-F., & Qian, Q.-J. (2021). Adult ADHD, executive function, depressive/anxiety symptoms, and quality of life: A serial two-mediator model. Journal of Affective Disorders, 293, 97–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.06.020
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Canu, W.H., Johnson, M.W., Blum, J.E. (2023). Self-Report Measures for Assessing ADHD in Adults. In: Matson, J.L. (eds) Clinical Handbook of ADHD Assessment and Treatment Across the Lifespan. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41709-2_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41709-2_19
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-41708-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-41709-2
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)