B - 50 The Relationship between Objective and Subjective Measures of Attention

• Published in: Archives of clinical neuropsychology Vol. 38; no. 7; p. 1414
• Main Authors: Magnante, Anna T, Ord, Anna S, Shura, Robert D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 20.10.2023
• ISSN: 1873-5843; 1873-5843
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acad067.256

Abstract Objective The relationship between objective and subjective measures of attention is understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the convergence between commonly used measures in the assessment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to determine whether there is a significant difference between individuals with and without ADHD on subscales related to ADHD symptoms. Method This study involved an archival data set of Veterans (N = 504) who completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) or MMPI-3, the Barkley’s Adult ADHD Rating Scale or a local DSM-5/TR ADHD diagnostic interview, the Connor Continuous Performance Test 3 (CCPT-3) or the Integrated Visual & Auditory 2, and the Trail Making Test as part of a clinical assessment in a specialty ADHD clinic. Results Nonparametric comparisons between those with and without ADHD revealed no statistically significant differences across the cognitive measures. Self-reported symptoms of inattention (z = 12.07, p < 0.001, r = 0.57, large effect), hyperactivity (z = 4.70, p < 0.001, r = 0.22, small effect), and impulsivity (z = 5.52, p < 0.001, r = 0.26, small effect), significantly differentiated participants with and without ADHD. Pearson correlations between the two types of measures showed that omission errors on the CCPT-3 were significantly correlated to self-reported inattention symptoms (r = 0.15, p = 0.039). All other correlations between objective and subjective measures were not significant. Conclusions These results suggest that neuropsychological measures are not strongly correlated to self-reported symptoms of inattention, and as such may be less sensitive to ADHD.