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The factor structure of ADHD in a general population of primary school children
Author(s) -
Ullebø Anne Karin,
Breivik Kyrre,
Gillberg Christopher,
Lundervold Astri J.,
Posserud MajBritt
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02549.x
Subject(s) - impulsivity , psychology , population , confirmatory factor analysis , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , clinical psychology , psychometrics , developmental psychology , structural equation modeling , medicine , statistics , mathematics , environmental health
Objective: To examine whether a bifactor model with a general ADHD factor and domain specific factors of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity was supported in a large general population sample of children. We also explored the utility of forming subscales based on the domain‐specific factors. Methods: Child mental health questionnaires were completed by both teachers and parents of all children in grades 2–4 in Bergen, Norway. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the ADHD items of a modified version of the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire–IV (SNAP‐IV) for 6,237 children. Results: The bifactor model showed very good model fit with a strong general ADHD factor and specific factors for impulsivity and inattention. The subfactors, especially hyperactivity, generated from the SNAP‐IV ADHD items conveyed little unique variance in the model. Conclusions: The findings in this general population sample with a strong general ADHD factor in the bifactor model supports the view on ADHD as a unitary concept with specific domain factors for inattention and impulsivity, but not for hyperactivity. The bifactor model questions the utility of constructing ADHD subscales by the use of a simple sum score when using the SNAP‐IV.