Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The present study examined the reliability and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory—Version 4.0 (PedsQL 4.0) generic core scales as a measure of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) among children referred for an ADHD Evaluation. Additionally, a multiple regression analysis was used to determine which of certain parent and child variables (number of psychiatric diagnoses, child's adaptive skills, child's externalizing and internalizing behavior difficulties, child's functional impairment, and parental stress) are significantly associated with HRQOL as measured by the PedsQL. Results revealed strong internal consistency for all but the school functioning subscale as well as good test-retest reliability. Agreement between parent and child ratings approached significance. As predicted, parent ratings on the PedsQL were moderately correlated with ratings on the Impairment Rating Scale. The strongest predictors of HRQOL were parent ratings of internalizing behavior and adaptive behavior (BASC-2). Results suggest that administering the PedsQL may be useful in assessing the adverse impact of ADHD symptoms on children's everyday functioning.

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