Asrs adhd scale
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to ASRS for ADHD Screening
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) is a widely used tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to screen for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults. The ASRS is designed to be a quick and effective method for identifying individuals who may have ADHD, facilitating further diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
Structure and Versions of ASRS
Full ASRS (18-Item Scale)
The full ASRS consists of 18 questions that assess the frequency of DSM-IV Criterion A symptoms of adult ADHD. This comprehensive version is used to capture a broad range of symptoms and is particularly useful in clinical settings for detailed assessments .
ASRS Screener (6-Item Scale)
A shorter version, the ASRS Screener, includes six questions selected through logistic regression to optimize concordance with clinical diagnoses. This screener is favored for its brevity and high sensitivity and specificity, making it suitable for both community surveys and clinical outreach 13.
Psychometric Properties and Validity
Sensitivity and Specificity
The ASRS Screener has demonstrated high sensitivity (68.7%) and specificity (99.5%) in predicting clinical ADHD classifications, outperforming the full 18-item ASRS in these metrics . In a study involving treatment-seeking substance use disorder (SUD) patients, the ASRS showed a sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 66%, indicating its effectiveness in diverse populations .
Reliability
The ASRS Screener has shown strong test-retest reliability, with Pearson correlations ranging from 0.58 to 0.77, and internal consistency reliability between 0.63 and 0.72 . These metrics confirm the tool's stability over time and its consistency in measuring ADHD symptoms.
Cross-Cultural Validity
The ASRS has been validated in various languages and cultural contexts. For instance, the Italian translation of the ASRS-18 demonstrated good internal consistency and diagnostic accuracy in a sample of adolescents . Similarly, the Japanese version of the ASRS (ASRS-J) showed acceptable psychometric properties, with high sensitivity and specificity .
Utility in Different Populations
College Students
The ASRS has proven useful in college settings, where the prevalence of ADHD is significant. Studies have shown moderate to good congruency between different modalities of ASRS administration (e.g., telephone interviews, paper versions), and its scores are related to measures of executive functioning and cognitive failures .
Primary Care Settings
In primary care settings, the ASRS-V1.1 has been found to be a practical tool due to its ease of use and short administration time (average of 54.3 seconds). It has high sensitivity (1.0) and moderate specificity (0.71), making it an effective initial screening tool for ADHD .
Conclusion
The ASRS, in both its full and screener forms, is a reliable, valid, and efficient tool for screening adult ADHD. Its high sensitivity and specificity, coupled with strong test-retest reliability, make it suitable for use in various settings, including community surveys, clinical outreach, and primary care. The ASRS's adaptability to different languages and cultural contexts further underscores its utility as a global screening instrument for adult ADHD.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic