title: Factor structure of parent- and teacher-rated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in the Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Study (PATS).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines one-, two-, and three-factor models of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using the existing 18 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, 4th edition (DSM-IV) symptoms in a sample of symptomatic preschoolers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parent and/or teacher ratings of DSM-IV symptoms were obtained for 532 children (aged 3-5.5) who were screened for the Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using symptoms identified on the Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scales was conducted to assess a two-factor model representing the DSM-IV dimensions of inattention (IN) and hyperactivity/impulsivity (H/I), a three-factor model reflecting inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, and a single-factor model of all ADHD symptoms. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was subsequently used to examine the latent structure of the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For parent ratings, the two-factor and three-factor models were marginally acceptable according to several widely used fit indices, whereas the one-factor model failed to meet minimum thresholds for goodness-of-fit. For teachers, none of the models was a solid fit for the data. Maximum likelihood EFAs resulted in satisfactory two and three-factor models for both parents and teachers, although all models contained several moderate cross loadings. Factor loadings were generally concordant with those published for older children and community-based samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADHD subtypes according to current DSM-IV specifications may not be the best descriptors of the disorder in the preschool age group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. hardy017@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Kristina K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Scott H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kollins
authors.forename: Desiree W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Riddle
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greenhill
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Howard B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Abikoff
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: McCracken
authors.forename: Benedetto
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vitiello
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McGough
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Posner
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Skrobala
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wigal
authors.forename: Sharon B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Wigal
authors.forename: Jaswinder K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ghuman
authors.forename: Shirley Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Chuang
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000523:psychology; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012574:Schools