Date of Award

1995

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Mary Lou Kelley

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the discriminant validity of scores from the Adolescent Behavior Checklist (ABC), an adolescent self-report measure of ADHD symptomatology for adolescents ages 11-17 years (n = 60). Validity was assessed through correlational, univariate, and discriminant function analyses using three groups: (1) adolescents diagnosed with ADHD; (2) adolescents currently experiencing a mood and/or anxiety disorder; and (3) adolescents with no major psychological disorder. Convergent and divergent validity of the ABC factor scores was demonstrated through correlational results with: (1) parent- and adolescent-report of ADHD symptoms during structured psychiatric interviews; and, (2) scores on questionnaires measuring related and non-related constructs. Univariate analyses indicated that the ADHD group obtained significantly higher scores than did the normal adolescents across all ABC factors. Additionally, the ADHD group scored significantly higher than did the psychiatric controls on the following ABC factors: Conduct Problems, Impulsivity/Hyperactivity, and Social Problems. Results from discriminant analyses supported the reliability of ABC scores in correctly classifying subjects into groups. When compared to the Youth Self-Report, the ABC was found to be somewhat better at classifying subjects, especially when used in a multi-informant discriminant analysis. Therefore, overall results from the current study suggest that the ABC is a valid and useful self-report screening measure for ADHD symptoms and related difficulties.

Pages

77

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.5939

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