PARENT RATINGS OF ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER SYMPTOMS -FACTOR STRUCTURE AND NORMATIVE DATA/

Changes in the diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have necessitated the creation of new measures for cl inical assessment. The factor structure of a parent rating scale conta ining the 18 symptoms of ADHD was examined in this study. Factor analy ses and assessment of differences in ADHD ratings across sex, age, and ethnic group were conducted using a sample of 4666 participants rangi ng in age from 4 to 20 years old who attended kindergarten through 12t h grade in 22 school districts across the United States. Two factors ( Inattention and Hyperactivity-Impulsivity) were derived and normative data for a nationally representative sample are presented A higher fre quency of ADHD symptoms was found for boys, younger children, and Afri can-American participants. Potential uses of this scale in clinical pr actice and research are discussed.