Abstract
A substantial proportion of adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do not appropriately adhere to
prescribed treatments, especially to pharmacological treatments. It is important to disentangle the specific attitudes that
contribute to treatment adherence. A 33-item questionnaire was applied to 120 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and their respective
parents. Reliability of the scale was explored using factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and test–retest. Validity was explored
by face validity and the known-groups method. For the young people’s version, three main dimensions (preoccupations, insight
and self-concept) emerged. The parents’ version showed six main dimensions (child’s personal attitudes, worries, social stigma,
insight, future side effects and knowledge). The potential of this questionnaire to explore the attitudes of patients and
their families towards treatments and for clinicians to predict treatment adherence is discussed.
prescribed treatments, especially to pharmacological treatments. It is important to disentangle the specific attitudes that
contribute to treatment adherence. A 33-item questionnaire was applied to 120 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and their respective
parents. Reliability of the scale was explored using factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and test–retest. Validity was explored
by face validity and the known-groups method. For the young people’s version, three main dimensions (preoccupations, insight
and self-concept) emerged. The parents’ version showed six main dimensions (child’s personal attitudes, worries, social stigma,
insight, future side effects and knowledge). The potential of this questionnaire to explore the attitudes of patients and
their families towards treatments and for clinicians to predict treatment adherence is discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Contribution
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-012-0277-6
- Authors
- Maite Ferrin, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Sunshine House (Neurodevelopmental Team) 27 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH UK
- Miguel Ruiz-Veguilla, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Sunshine House (Neurodevelopmental Team) 27 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH UK
- Maria Blanc-Betes, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Sunshine House (Neurodevelopmental Team) 27 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH UK
- Samaa El Abd, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Sunshine House (Neurodevelopmental Team) 27 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH UK
- Teresa Lax-Pericall, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Sunshine House (Neurodevelopmental Team) 27 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH UK
- Maxine Sinclair, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Sunshine House (Neurodevelopmental Team) 27 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH UK
- Eric Taylor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Sunshine House (Neurodevelopmental Team) 27 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH UK
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827