Diagnostic Accuracy of the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale in a Postsecondary Population. Issue 14 (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harrison, Allyson G.; Nay, Sylvia; Armstrong, Irene T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 23:Issue 14(2019)
• Page Start: 1829
• Page End: 1837
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: ADHD -- CAARS -- Conners' Adult ADD Scales -- diagnostic accuracy -- postsecondary population; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054715625299
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: Clinicians frequently rely upon the results of self-report rating scales when making the diagnosis of ADHD; however, little research exists regarding the ability of self-report measures to accurately differentiate ADHD from other disorders.Method: This present study investigated the ability of the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) to discriminate between 249 postsecondary students with carefully diagnosed ADHD and 507 clinical controls.Results: The overall discriminant validity of the CAARS was 69%, and it had an unacceptably high false positive and false negative rate. At lower prevalence rates, a high score on the CAARS has only a 22% chance of accurately identifying individuals with ADHD.Conclusion: Although the CAARS is an adequate screening measure, it should not be the main method by which a diagnosis is made, as it frequently misidentifies individuals with other psychological complaints as having ADHD. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.