Christiansen, H., Hirsch, O., Philipsen, A., Oades, R. D., Matthies, S., Hebebrand, J., Uekermann, J., Abdel-Hamid, M., Kraeme, M., Wiltfang, J., Graf, E., Colla, M., Sobanski, E., Alm, B., Rösler, M., Jacob, C., Jans, T., Huss, M., Schimmelmann, B. G., & Kis, B.,

German validation of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale – self-report (CAARS-S): confirmation of factor structure in a large sample of subjects with ADHD. (2012) Journal of Attention Disorders or [Request a copy] - [view article] -

Introduction: The Conners adult ADHD rating scale (CAARS) assesses symptoms specific to adults that are frequently used and have been translated into German.

The current study tests the factor structure of the CAARS in a large sample of German adults with ADHD, and compares the means of the CAARS subscales with those of healthy German subjects.

Methods: CAARS were completed by 466 subjects with ADHD and 851 healthy control subjects.

-- Confirmatory factor analysis was used to establish model fit with the American original.

-- Comparisons between subjects with ADHD and healthy controls and influences of gender, age, and degree of education were analyzed.

Results:
1 - Confirmatory factor analysis showed a very good fit with the model for the American original.

2 - Differences between ADHD subjects and healthy controls on all CAARS-S subscales were substantial and significant.

3 - There was a strong correlation between pervasively impulsive symptoms and the other core adult ADHD symptoms. (Symptoms of inattention appeared to be strongly linked to reduced self-concept, as reflected in the correlation between inattention and self-concept).

Discussion:

a) The factor structure of the original American model was successfully replicated in this sample of adult German ADHD subjects.

b) ) Age, degree of education and gender significantly influenced CAARS-S subscale ratings. This should be taken into consideration when rating and interpreting the CAARS-S.