Determining the Accuracy of Self-Report Versus Informant-Report Using the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale

• Published in: Journal of attention disorders Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 346 - 352
• Main Authors: Alexander, Lisa, Liljequist, Laura
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Memory, Short-Term; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - standards; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - statistics & numerical data; Psychometrics; Regression Analysis; Reproducibility of Results; Self Report; Wechsler Scales - standards; Wechsler Scales - statistics & numerical data; adult ADHD; assessment; validity; self-report; informant-report
• ISSN: 1087-0547; 1557-1246
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054713478652

Objective: The present research examined the validity of self-report versus informant-report in relation to a performance-based indicator of adult ADHD. Method: Archival data from 118 participants (52 males, 66 females) were used to compare Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale–Self-Report: Long Format (CAARS-S:L) and Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale–Observer Report: Long Format (CAARS-O:L) with discrepancy scores calculated between the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Third Edition (WAIS-III) Verbal Comprehension Index – Working Memory Index (VCI – WMI) and Perceptual-Organizational Index – Processing Speed Index (POI – PSI) scaled scores. Results: Neither the self- nor informant-report formats of the CAARS were better predictors of discrepancies between WAIS-III Index scores. Intercorrelations between the CAARS-S:L and CAARS-O:L revealed generally higher correlations between the same scales of different formats and among scales measuring externally visible symptoms. Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that both the CAARS-S:L and CAARS-O:L clinical scales contributed a significant proportion of variance in WAIS-III VCI – WMI discrepancy scores (14.7% and 16.4%, respectively). Conclusion: Results did not establish greater accuracy of self-report versus informant-report of ADHD symptomatology, rather demonstrate the need for multimodal assessment of ADHD in adults.