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

71 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.

Keywords

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

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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