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Cross-cultural reliability and validity of ADHD assessed by the ADHD Rating Scale in a pan-European study

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Abstract

Objectives

To provide psychometric information on the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) in a large population of children with ADHD.

Methods

Patients aged 6–18 years (n=1,478 in baseline analysis) were rated by 244 physicians on the ADHD-RS-IV based on a semistructured interview with the patient's parent. Physicians additionally rated functional impairment (CGAS) and health status (CGI-S), and parents rated their child's behavioural and emotional problems (SDQ) and quality of life (CHIPCE).

Results

Inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity as dimensions of ADHD were replicated. 3-factor solutions reflecting the ICD-10 definition, with hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention as separate dimensions were extracted in some national sub-samples and in separate analyses for boys and younger children.Good internal consistencies, strong country effects and small effects of age were found. Based on ADHD-RS-IV, 88.5% of patients met the criteria for any ADHD diagnosis. Correlations between ADHD-RS-IV and measures of functional impairment were low but statistically significant. The correlations with SDQ and CHIPCE scales confirm the convergent and divergent validity of ADHDRS-IV.

Conclusions

Impressive evidence for the cross-cultural factorial validity, internal consistency as well as convergent and divergent validity of ADHD-RS-IV was found. ADHD can be assessed reliably and validly in routine care across Europe. The ICD-10 3-factor model seems to be less robust than the DSM-IV 2-factor model, but may be a good description for special populations (boys, younger children).

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Abbreviations

ADHD:

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

ADORE:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder Observational Research in Europe

ADHD-RS-IV:

ADHD Rating Scale-IV

CHIP-CE:

Child Health and Illness Profile – Child Edition

CGAS:

Children's Global Assessment Scale

CGI-S:

Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale

SDQ:

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cologne, Robert Koch Str. 10, 50931, Köln, Germany

    Manfred Döpfner

  2. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

    Hans-Christoph Steinhausen

  3. Section of Psychiatry Division of Pathology and Neuroscience, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK

    David Coghill

  4. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark

    Søren Dalsgaard

  5. Eli Lilly and Company, Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK

    Lynne Poole

  6. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany

    Aribert Rothenberger

Authors
  1. Manfred Döpfner
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  2. Hans-Christoph Steinhausen
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  3. David Coghill
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  4. Søren Dalsgaard
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  5. Lynne Poole
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  6. Stephen J. Ralston**
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  7. Aribert Rothenberger
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Consortia

ADORE Study Group*

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Manfred Döpfner.

Additional information

* Members of the ADORE Study Group G Baldursson, D Coghill, P Curatolo, S Dalsgaard, M Döpfner, B Falissard, A Hervas, MF Le Heuzey, TS Nøvik, RR Pereira, U Preuss, S Ralston, P Rasmussen, AW Riley, A Rothenberger, G Spiel, HC Steinhausen, L Vlasveld

** Employed by Eli Lilly & Co. at the time the research was performed

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Döpfner, M., Steinhausen, HC., Coghill, D. et al. Cross-cultural reliability and validity of ADHD assessed by the ADHD Rating Scale in a pan-European study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 15 (Suppl 1), i46–i55 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-1007-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-1007-8

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