Discriminant validity of the Wender Utah Rating Scale for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults

The authors examined the factor structure and discriminant validity of the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) in adults seeking evaluation for attention- deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Three factors (Dysthymia, Oppositio nal /Defiant Behavior and School Problems) accounted for 59.4% of the varia nce. In a stepwise discriminant function analysis, age and childhood school problems emerged as significant variables. The classification procedure co rrectly classified 64.5% of patients. Among those soho did not have ADHD, o nly 57.5% were correctly classified compared with 72.1% among those with AD HD. ale WURS is sensitive in detecting ADHD, but if misclassifies approxima tely half of those who do not have ADHD.