The latent structure of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a taxometric analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether the latent structure of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is best understood as categorical or dimensional in samples of 1774 children (aged 6-12 years) and 1222 adolescents (aged 13-17 years) drawn from an Australian epidemiological study.


METHODS
Two taxometric procedures (MAXEIG and MAMBAC) examined ADHD symptom measures assessed by diagnostic interview and parental ratings.


RESULTS
Consistent with behavioural genetic research, findings fail to support the view that a latent category underpins ADHD.


CONCLUSIONS
ADHD is best modelled as a continuum among both children and adolescents, and no discrete dysfunction can therefore be assumed to cause it. The placement of the diagnostic threshold should therefore be decided on pragmatic grounds (e.g. impairment or need for treatment).
Haslam
Nick
N
Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. nhaslam@unimelb.edu.au
Williams
Ben
B
Prior
Margot
M
Haslam
Ric
R
Graetz
Brian
B
Sawyer
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001315:Australia; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results