Quantifying the Relationship Between Perceived Consequences of ADHD Medication and Its Usage. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cox, Daniel J.; Davis, Margaret Taylor; Cox, Brian S.; Burket, Roger C.; Merkel, Richard L.; Mikami, Amori Yee; Ford, Derek
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 19:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 78
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: ADHD -- medication -- compliance -- adherence -- side effects; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054712452913
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: To address a major barrier of medication noncompliance for individuals with ADHD, the authors present the ADHD Medication Attitude Scale (AMAS) with initial psychometric analyses and discriminant validity data.Method: The AMAS was posted on ADHD websites, along with questions about demographics and medication usage over a 6-month period. A total of 356 ADHD respondents qualified for data analysis (160 males, 196 females, mean age = 18.58, years range = 13-62 years, SD = 6.07).Results: Factor analysis revealed two factors: one indicating positive and the other indicating negative attitude toward medication. The final refined 22-item scale demonstrated good reliability (α =.83). More positive and less negative attitude factor scores, as well as age (older than 19 years), independently predicted respondents' self-report of taking medication, χ 2 (1, N = 248) = 38.95, p < .001.Conclusion: The AMAS is a psychometrically sound means of assessing attitudes toward ADHD medication, which significantly relate to self-reported medication usage.