Assessing the Construct Validity of the Adult ADHD Self-report Scale for DSM-5 and Prevalence of ADHD in a Danish Population Sample
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study examines the validity of the ASRS-5 as a new screening tool for ADHD and evaluates its proposed screening cut-off in a general population context. METHOD: A nationally representative sample of 2,002 individuals aged 18 to 80 years was surveyed using the ASRS-5, with complete data obtained from 714 participants. Psychometric analysis evaluated fit to the Rasch model, response categories, dimensionality, differential item functioning, local dependency, and reliability. A cut-off score of 14, based on a simple additive scale, was applied. RESULTS: The ASRS-5 generally conformed to the expectations of the Rasch model. However, disordered response categories were observed for item 6, and gender-related differential item functioning was noted in items 3, 4, and 6. The ASRS-5 demonstrated a unidimensional construct, and a cut-off score of 14 identified 6.0% of the sample as potential ADHD cases. CONCLUSION: Although the ASRS-5 aligns well with the Rasch model, certain measurement challenges exist. The recommended cut-off score effectively identifies an ADHD prevalence consistent with the 6.5% reported in the original ASRS-5 study.
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The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and its short forms provide efficient identification of probable cases and demonstrate strong specificity and reliability (~0.90 Cronbach's alpha).
“The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and its short forms provide efficient identification of probable cases and demonstrate strong specificity and reliability (~0.90 Cronbach’s alpha) [31,118].”
From ADHD in Adulthood: Clinical Presentation, Comorbidities, and Treatment Perspectives (2025) · cites this paper as [118]
The ASRS has moderate sensitivity (~69%), meaning that negative screening results should not exclude diagnosis in clinically suspected cases.
“However, their moderate sensitivity (~69%) means that negative screening results should not exclude diagnosis in clinically suspected cases.”
From ADHD in Adulthood: Clinical Presentation, Comorbidities, and Treatment Perspectives (2025) · cites this paper as [118]
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ADHD in Adulthood: Clinical Presentation, Comorbidities, and Treatment Perspectives
Bogdańska-Chomczyk, E., Majewski, M. K., & Kozłowska, A. (2025) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms262211020 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and its short forms provide efficient identification of probable cases and demonstrate strong specificity and reliability (~0.90 Cronbach’s alpha) [31,118].”
Influential
- Authors
- Sparle Christensen, K., Storebø, O. J., & Bach, B.
- Affiliations
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark (DK)
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Venue
- Journal of Attention Disorders
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2025-01-23
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 437-444
- ISSN
- 1087-0547 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-1246
- OpenAlex
- W4406766431
- Cited by
- 3
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3
- FWCI
- 2.03
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Attention Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (publishedVersion)
- Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
- Scopus (Elsevier) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Region Zealand Health Scientific Research Foundation (R17A133B105)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Historical and Modern Theater Studies
- Keywords
- Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, adult ADHD, construct validity, screening cut-off values, ADHD prevalence, Rasch model, differential item functioning, gender differences, unidimensionality, general population
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Denmark, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychometrics, Reproducibility of Results, Prevalence, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Young Adult, Self Report
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