Citation

Marcus DK, Norris AL, Coccaro EF. J. Psychiatr. Res. 2012; 46(6): 782-789.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.03.010

PMID

22480749

Abstract

The vast majority of studies that have examined the latent structure of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents have concluded that ADHD has a dimensional latent structure. In other words, ADHD symptomatology exists along a continuum and there is no natural boundary or qualitative distinction (i.e., taxon) separating youth with ADHD from those with subclinical inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity problems. Although adult ADHD appears to be less prevalent than ADHD in youth (which could suggest a more severe adult ADHD taxon), researchers have yet to examine the latent structure of ADHD in adults. The present study used a sample (N = 600) of adults who completed a self-report measure of ADHD symptoms. The taxometric analyses revealed a dimensional latent structure for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and ADHD. These findings are consistent with previous taxometric studies that examined ADHD in children and adolescents, and with contemporary polygenic and multifactorial models of ADHD.

Language: en