Faculty Publications

Changes In College Student Endorsement Of Adhd Symptoms Across DSM Edition

Document Type

Article

Keywords

ADHD, College students, Criteria, DSM-5, DSM-IV, Symptoms

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment

Volume

42

Issue

3

First Page

488

Last Page

499

Abstract

Changes were made in DSM-5 to address the criticism that ADHD symptoms in DSM-IV were not developmentally appropriate for adults. Specifically, parenthetical examples were added to symptoms, and the symptom threshold was lowered. ADHD diagnosis in college students in particular is a growing concern. It was hypothesized that changes to the ADHD symptoms across DSM editions would result in higher symptom endorsement rates in this group. To this end, 3877 college students rated their own ADHD symptoms using DSM-IV and DSM-5 symptom wording. College students with a past diagnosis of ADHD (n = 435) endorsed slightly more symptoms with the updated DSM-5 wording (an additional 0.41 ADHD symptoms). In addition, 5.2% more college students met the new, lowered DSM-5 symptom threshold as compared to the older DSM-IV threshold. Changes to DSM-5 Criterion A for ADHD increase symptom endorsement and the number of college students eligible for a diagnosis.

Department

Department of Psychology

Original Publication Date

9-1-2020

DOI of published version

10.1007/s10862-020-09797-5

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

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