External validation of bifactor model of ADHD: Explaining heterogeneity in psychiatric comorbidity, cognitive control, and personality trait profiles within DSM-IV ADHD

Michelle M. Martel, Bethan Roberts, Monica Gremillion, Alexander Von Eye, Joel T. Nigg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

The current paper provides external validation of the bifactor model of ADHD by examining associations between ADHD latent factor/profile scores and external validation indices. 548 children (321 boys; 302 with ADHD), 6 to 18 years old, recruited from the community participated in a comprehensive diagnostic procedure. Mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist, Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire, and California Q-Sort. Children completed the Stop and Trail-Making Task. Specific inattention was associated with depression/withdrawal, slower cognitive task performance, introversion, agreeableness, and high reactive control; specific hyperactivity-impulsivity was associated with rule-breaking/aggressive behavior, social problems, errors during set-shifting, extraversion, disagreeableness, and low reactive control. It is concluded that the bifactor model provides better explanation of heterogeneity within ADHD than DSM-IV ADHD symptom counts or subtypes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1111-1123
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Abnormal Child Psychology
Volume39
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments This research was supported by NIH National Institute of Mental Health Grant R01-MH63146 and MH59105 to Joel Nigg and MH70542 to Karen Friderici and Joel Nigg. We are indebted to the families and staff who made this study possible.

Funding

Acknowledgments This research was supported by NIH National Institute of Mental Health Grant R01-MH63146 and MH59105 to Joel Nigg and MH70542 to Karen Friderici and Joel Nigg. We are indebted to the families and staff who made this study possible.

FundersFunder number
NIH National Institute of Mental HealthR01-MH63146, MH59105
National Institute of Mental HealthR21MH070542

    Keywords

    • ADHD
    • Bifactor
    • Cognitive control
    • Personality
    • Problem behavior

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Developmental and Educational Psychology
    • Psychiatry and Mental health

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