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Validation of the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Quality-of-Life Scale (AAQoL): A Disease-Specific Quality-of-Life Measure

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Abstract

Introduction: A growing body of evidence suggests that symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persist into adulthood and are associated with ongoing impairment and co-morbidity. The absence of a conceptually sound and well-validated ADHD-specific quality-of-life measure has been an obstacle to understanding this impact. To address this gap, the Adult ADHD Quality-of-Life Scale (AAQoL) was developed based on well accepted methods for designing patient reported outcomes. The purpose of this study was to validate the AAQoL. Methods: Nine Hundred and Eighty Nine adults in a retrospective cohort study were administered the AAQoL and psychometric validation was conducted according to an a priori statistical analysis plan. Results: A 29-item AAQoL was found to have robust scale structure with four domains: Life Productivity, Psychological Health, Relationships and Life outlook. Internal consistency was adequate (0.93 for overall, 0.75–0.93 for subscales), and construct and known-groups validity were supported. Conclusion: The AAQoL appears to be a valid measure of quality of life for adults with ADHD and can be considered for incorporation into future studies. The ability to quantify the quality-of-life consequences of adult ADHD should facilitate future research, assist clinicians in identifying appropriate treatment targets and contribute to the ultimate goal of improving the well-being and functioning of adults with ADHD.

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Abbreviations

ADHD:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

AAQoL:

Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Quality-of-Life Scale

QoL:

Quality of Life

ASRS-V1.1:

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale-V1.1

SF-36:

Short Form 36

PHQ-2:

Patient Health Questionnaire

RCT:

randomized clinical trial

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The BROD GROUP, 219 Julia Avenue, Mill Valley, California, 94941, USA

    Meryl Brod

  2. Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

    Joseph Johnston, Stephen Able & Ralph Swindle

Authors
  1. Meryl Brod
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  2. Joseph Johnston
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  3. Stephen Able
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  4. Ralph Swindle
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Correspondence to Meryl Brod.

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Brod, M., Johnston, J., Able, S. et al. Validation of the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Quality-of-Life Scale (AAQoL): A Disease-Specific Quality-of-Life Measure. Qual Life Res 15, 117–129 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-8325-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-8325-z

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