Morehead State University
Influence of Test Anxiety and Symptoms of DSM-IV Anxiety and Mood Disorders on AD/HD Self Report Scale Scores
Institution
Morehead State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Sean Reilley
Abstract
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (AD/HD) is a lifespan disorder frequently misdiagnosed in adults. Attention rating scales are currently used in the diagnostic process. At present, little data are available to clinicians for using these measures to discriminate between attention problems due to AD/HD and those that are secondary to psychiatric disorders. This is especially problematic when the clinical picture is clouded by a history of periodic childhood attention problems. Prior work with the Adult SelfReport Scale (ASRS), a freely available screening instrument for AD/HD developed by the World Health Organization, has shown that subclinical symptoms of anxiety and depression are sufficient to yield ASRS scores in the probable AD/HD range in the absence of AD/HD. The present correlational study attempted to extend these findings by examining the unique influence of multiple clinical symptoms of specific DSM-IV related depression and anxiety disorders as well as test anxiety on ASRS scores. Two hundred college adults without positive histories of AD/HD completed the ASRS, the Psychiatric Disorders Screening Questionnaire, and the Test Anxiety Scale. As predicted, symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (r > .30) afforded the strongest unique relationship with attention problems on the ASRS. Partially consistent with predictions, the contribution of specific DSM-IV anxiety symptoms to ASRS scores was substantially less than for MDD. Finally, test anxiety which shares a strong dyphoria component yielded significant relations with ASRS after controlling for other psychiatric symptoms.
Influence of Test Anxiety and Symptoms of DSM-IV Anxiety and Mood Disorders on AD/HD Self Report Scale Scores
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (AD/HD) is a lifespan disorder frequently misdiagnosed in adults. Attention rating scales are currently used in the diagnostic process. At present, little data are available to clinicians for using these measures to discriminate between attention problems due to AD/HD and those that are secondary to psychiatric disorders. This is especially problematic when the clinical picture is clouded by a history of periodic childhood attention problems. Prior work with the Adult SelfReport Scale (ASRS), a freely available screening instrument for AD/HD developed by the World Health Organization, has shown that subclinical symptoms of anxiety and depression are sufficient to yield ASRS scores in the probable AD/HD range in the absence of AD/HD. The present correlational study attempted to extend these findings by examining the unique influence of multiple clinical symptoms of specific DSM-IV related depression and anxiety disorders as well as test anxiety on ASRS scores. Two hundred college adults without positive histories of AD/HD completed the ASRS, the Psychiatric Disorders Screening Questionnaire, and the Test Anxiety Scale. As predicted, symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (r > .30) afforded the strongest unique relationship with attention problems on the ASRS. Partially consistent with predictions, the contribution of specific DSM-IV anxiety symptoms to ASRS scores was substantially less than for MDD. Finally, test anxiety which shares a strong dyphoria component yielded significant relations with ASRS after controlling for other psychiatric symptoms.