Test-retest reliability of the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1 Screener in non-ADHD controls from a primary care physician practice.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the test-retest reliability of the DSM-IV Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1 Screener in adults without ADHD. Prior studies have not examined test-retest reliability of the Screener in non-ADHD controls.

METHODS

Subjects completed the Screener in a primary care physician (PCP) waiting room (T1); those who screened negative for ADHD (n = 104) (<4/6 significant Screener items) symptoms were further assessed on the phone (T2). T2 included phone administration of the full ASRS v1.1 Symptom Checklist (which contains the six items from the Screener). Spearman's correlations and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) between T1 and T2 were calculated for the total Screener score and for each Screener item. McNemar-Bowker tests were conducted for the Screener total score and each item to check for significant changes from T1 to T2.

RESULTS

Screener T1 and T2 total scores were significantly correlated (Spearman's rho = 0.78, P < 0.0001), as were individual items. Correlations remained significant when controlling for a variety of demographic factors and psychiatric conditions. Confirming the significant Spearman correlations, ICCs for Screener total score and each item were also significant (ICC = 0.75, P < 0.0001). The McNemar-Bowker tests showed no significant differences for Screener total score and for the IA items; however, the H-I items were somewhat higher at T1 versus T2.

CONCLUSIONS

The DSM-IV ASRS v1.1 Screener has high test-retest reliability in patients without ADHD.