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. 2014 Apr;18(3):212-25.
doi: 10.1177/1087054712443160. Epub 2012 Apr 27.

Adolescent and caregiver reports of ADHD symptoms among inner-city youth: agreement, perceived need for treatment, and behavioral correlates

Aaron Hogue  1 , Sarah Dauber, Emily Lichvar, Gabi Spiewak
Affiliations

Adolescent and caregiver reports of ADHD symptoms among inner-city youth: agreement, perceived need for treatment, and behavioral correlates

Aaron Hogue et al. J Atten Disord. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated adolescent and caregiver reports of ADHD symptoms in a sample of clinically referred inner-city adolescents.

Method: Participants (N = 168) included youth ages 12-18 (54% male, 98% ethnic minority) and their caregivers who each completed diagnostic interviews of ADHD symptoms and assessments of perceived need for ADHD treatment and correlated behavior problems.

Results: Informants showed poor agreement on DSM-IV diagnostic categories and also dimensional scales, Inattention/Disorganization (I/D) and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (H/I). Both caregiver and adolescent reports of I/D symptoms, but not H/I symptoms, were related to perceived need for ADHD treatment. Caregiver reports were linked to behavioral correlates typically associated with ADHD: I/D symptoms correlated with planning/organization and socioemotional deficits, and H/I symptoms correlated with externalizing and behavior regulation deficits. In contrast, adolescent reports of I/D were related to internalizing and externalizing problems, and their reports of H/I correlated with externalizing only. Few gender effects were found.

Conclusion: Study results underscore the developmental salience of I/D symptoms and have implications for ADHD diagnosis and treatment planning for adolescents.

Keywords: ADHD correlates; ADHD subtypes; adolescent ADHD; informant agreement; perceived need for treatment.

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