Multisource Longitudinal Network and Latent Variable Model Analyses of ADHD Symptoms in Children

Abstract

Objective: Multisource longitudinal network analysis was used to determine if between-child and within-child variance of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms provided unique findings of ADHD relative to latent variable model (LVM) analyses.Method: Mothers and fathers of 802 Spanish first-grade children (54% boys) provided ratings of ADHD symptoms at two time points six weeks apart (assessment 1: 723 mothers and 603 fathers; assessment 2: 667 mothers and 584 fathers). Network and latent variable models were applied to the ratings.Results: Inattention, hyperactivity, and mixed hyperactive/impulsive symptom communities occurred for the within- and between-children's symptom networks with the results being consistent across mothers and fathers, especially for the between-children's symptom networks. LVM analyses identified three factors with the same symptoms on each factor as in the symptom communities. These models also showed invariance across mothers and fathers as well as assessments.Conclusions: Longitudinal networks provided several useful insights for ADHD, including centrality symptoms that differed across between- and within-child levels. However, many findings were also largely consistent with the LVM analyses. Future studies should use novel methods (e.g., intensive longitudinal measurement) and analytic tools to determine if more unique theoretical and clinical findings emerge when applying network analysis to longitudinally measured ADHD symptoms.

Figure 1.

Cross-Validated fused graphical LASSO graph of rater-specific, between-subject networks of ADHD symptoms. The nodes represent symptoms of ADHD averaged across two time points, and the edges represent the partial correlations between the symptoms. Thicker edges represent stronger associations, with green edges representing positive associations and red edges representing negative (inversely related) associations. A Fruchterman-Reingold layout was specified for each rater, and these were averaged together to display the results with nodes in the same relative position to facilitate comparison of edges. Colors reflect the Walktrap community analysis results; Red & Teal = ADHD-HI symptoms; Gray = ADHD-IN symptoms. Edge labels “=” indicate equal edges across raters. For ease of interpretation, edges lower than .05 are not displayed in the network. For context, the largest edge weight in both graphs is between sustain attention and close attention (.42).

Figure 2.

Cross-Validated fused graphical LASSO graph of rater-specific, within-subject networks of ADHD symptoms. The nodes represent ADHD symptoms deviations from the mean across two time points. The edges represent the partial correlations between the deviations. Thicker edges represent stronger associations, with green edges representing positive associations and red edges representing negative (inversely related) associations. A Fruchterman-Reingold layout was specified for each rater, and these were averaged together to display the results with nodes in the same relative position to facilitate comparison of edges. Colors reflect the Walktrap community analysis results; Red & Teal = ADHD-HI symptoms; Gray = ADHD-IN symptom. Edge labels “=” indicate equal edges across raters. For ease of interpretation, edges lower than .05 are not displayed in the network. For context, the largest edge weight in both graphs is between sustain attention and close attention (.31).