title: The latent structure of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in an adult sample.
abstract: The vast majority of studies that have examined the latent structure of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents have concluded that ADHD has a dimensional latent structure. In other words, ADHD symptomatology exists along a continuum and there is no natural boundary or qualitative distinction (i.e., taxon) separating youth with ADHD from those with subclinical inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity problems. Although adult ADHD appears to be less prevalent than ADHD in youth (which could suggest a more severe adult ADHD taxon), researchers have yet to examine the latent structure of ADHD in adults. The present study used a sample (N = 600) of adults who completed a self-report measure of ADHD symptoms. The taxometric analyses revealed a dimensional latent structure for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and ADHD. These findings are consistent with previous taxometric studies that examined ADHD in children and adolescents, and with contemporary polygenic and multifactorial models of ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA. david.marcus@wsu.edu
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: Alyssa L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Emil F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Coccaro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult