An investigation of relationships between social behavior and ADHD in children and youth: Construct validity of the home and community social behavior scales
Kw. Merrell et E. Boelter, An investigation of relationships between social behavior and ADHD in children and youth: Construct validity of the home and community social behavior scales, J E BEH DIS, 9(4), 2001, pp. 260-269
This article describes two related studies focusing on the relationship of
social behavior and ADHD characteristics of children and youth. The primary
purpose of these studies was to empirically investigate the construct vali
dity of the Home and Community Social Behavior Scales (HCSBS), a new behavi
or rating scale for use by parents in assessing social and antisocial behav
ior of children and youth. A secondary purpose was to examine in detail rel
ationships between ADHD characteristics and social behavior in children. Re
sults of these studies indicated that as ADHD symptoms increased, antisocia
l behaviors increased and positive social behavior decreased. Overall, the
results indicated an exceptionally strong link between social behavior and
ADHD, and provide strong evidence in support of the validity of the HCSBS.
Practical applications of these findings are discussed.