A measure of functioning in adults With ADHD: Psychometric properties of the general life functioning scale-parent version

J Clin Psychol. 2021 Dec;77(12):2894-2914. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23285. Epub 2021 Dec 3.

Abstract

Objective: The General Life Functioning Scale (GLF) was developed to provide a complementary alternative to existing measures of impairment. We examined the psychometric properties of the GLF-Parent version (GLF-P), given the known value of informant ratings.

Methods: The GLF-P was administered to parents of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosed in childhood and a nonADHD comparison group in the Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study. GLF-P ratings described 334 participants (ADHD = 186; comparison = 148) rated at age 25 (Mage = 24.80 years, SDage = 0.46, range = 24-26) and 401 participants (ADHD = 237; comparison = 164) rated at age 30 (Mage = 29.30, SDage = 0.64, range = 28-33). Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were used.

Results: EFAs suggested and CFAs confirmed a five-factor solution. We found measurement invariance across diagnostic and age groups, satisfactory internal consistency, construct validity, and known-group validity.

Conclusion: Psychometric results suggest the GLF-P as a helpful adjunctive measure of functioning. Further research is needed to determine the utility of the GLF across diverse settings.

Keywords: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); confirmatory factor analyses (CFA); exploratory factor analyses (EFA); functional impairment; measurement invariance; psychometric evidence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / diagnosis
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Parents
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Young Adult