Psychometric properties of the Japanese ADHD-RS in preschool children

Abstract

Background: Children with ADHD show multiple difficulties in their lives. Its early detection is important to provide timely intervention.

Aims: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the home and school form of the ADHD-Rating Scale-IV (P- and T-ADHD-RS) for screening five-year-olds with ADHD.

Methods: The parents and teachers of 838 children (452 boys, 386 girls; including 28 boys, 18 girls diagnosed ADHD) completed the ADHD-RS and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in a community health check-up.

Results: The P- and T-ADHD-RS confirmed the two-factor model (Inattention and Hyperactivity-Impulsivity) and internal consistencies (CFI=0.968, 980; RMSEA=0.049, 0.055; SRMR=0.030, 0.024; α=0.86-.93). Japanese boys and girls scored significantly lower in all scales of the P- and T-ADHD-RS (d=0.65-1.14, 0.36-0.59) than US children. The P-ADHD-RS showed higher accuracy in area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and positive predictive value (PPV) than the T-ADHD-RS (AUC=0.955, 0.692; sensitivity=89.13%, 30.23%; PPV=46.59%, 16.05%).

Implications: The P-ADHD-RS shows good reliability and validity for screening children with possible ADHD in a community. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine its predictive validity of adaptation in their lives at school.

Keywords: ADHD-rating scale-IV (ADHD-RS); Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Preschool children; Screening; Strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ).