[Attention deficit/hyperactive disorders in children and adolescents as assessed by parents].

OBJECTIVES: The Parent Rating Scale for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is part of the Diagnostic System for Mental Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence (DISYPS-II) and is based on the international classification systems ICD-10 and DSM-IV. It includes 20 items representing symptom criteria from ICD-10 and DSM-IV, as well as 6 competence items. This study analyses the prevalence rates of symptoms and diagnoses, reliability and factorial validity, correlations with other behavioral and emotional symptoms, comorbidity rates and effects of age and gender based on parent ratings according to this questionnaire.

METHODS: Ratings according to this questionnaire were performed by NM=713 parents of children and adolescents aged 4.0 to 17.11 years.

RESULTS: Prevalence rates of the symptoms varied between 4.5% and 22.3%. Using the symptom criteria of DSM-IV and ICD-10, prevalence rates of diagnosis of ADHD were 11.5% according to DSM-IV and 3.4% according to ICD-10. Addition of the functional impairment criterion reduces the prevalence rates to 7.9% (DSM-IV), and 3.0% (ICD-10), respectively. The respective reliability of the subscales Inattention, Hyperactivity?Impulsivity, the total score, and the competence scales was satisfactory to very good. The explanatory factor analyses show a factor according to DSM-IV with an inattention factor and a hyperactivity/impulsivity factor, but also a structure according to ICD-10, with separate inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity factors. Most of the scales showed significant effects of age and gender. Moderate correlations between ADHD ratings and parent ratings of other behavioral and emotion problems were found, with comorbidity rates between 7% and 39%.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates are comparable to those found in other international studies. The Parents Rating Scale for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is an internally consistent and valid instrument for use in the examined age group. By presenting the norms, the scale can be a helpful tool in practical application.