The psychometric properties of the Vanderbilt attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnostic teacher rating scale in a community population.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the psychometric properties of the Vanderbilt AD/HD Diagnostic Teacher Rating Scale (VADTRS).


METHODS
Information was collected from teachers and parents in 5 school districts (urban, suburban, and rural). All teachers in participating schools were asked to complete the VADTRS on all their students. Construct validity was evaluated through an exploratory factor analysis investigation of the 35 items that made up the 4 scales of inattention, hyperactivity, conduct/oppositional problems, and anxiety/depression problems. Convergent validity was assessed among a subsample of participants whose teachers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Finally, predictive validity was examined for another subsample of high- and low-risk children whose parents completed a structured psychiatric interview, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV.


RESULTS
For construct validity, a 4-factor model (inattention, hyperactivity, conduct/oppositional, and anxiety/depression problems) fits the data well. The estimates of the KR20 coefficient for a binary item version of the scale ranged from .85 to .94. Convergent validity with the SDQ was high (Pearson's correlations > .72) for these 4 factors. For predictive validity, the VADTRS produced a sensitivity of .69, specificity of .84, positive predictive value of .32, and negative predictive value of .96 when predicting future case definitions among children whose parents completed a diagnostic interview.


CONCLUSIONS
The confirmation of the construct and convergent validity and acceptable scale reliabilities found in this study further supports the utility of the VADTRS as a diagnostic rating scale for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The low predictive validity further demonstrates the need for multiple observers in establishing the diagnosis.
Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA. mark-wolraich@ouhsc.edu
Mark L
ML
Wolraich
David E
DE
Bard
Barbara
B
Neas
Melissa
M
Doffing
Laoma
L
Beck
D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013981:Tic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology