Profile analysis of measure of vigilance and observed behavior in the differential diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
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Abstract
Ward's method of cluster analysis was utilized to partition the clinical profiles of 74 students completed at a midwestern university's school psychology training clinic. The Conners' Continuous Performance Test and the Parent Rating Scale of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children provided the clustering variables. The neuropsychological literature predicted three groups; ADHD - Primarily Inattentive Type, ADHD - Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, and ADHD - Mixed Type based on errors of omission and commission on measures of vigilance, along with parental rankings on internalized and externalized behavior.Cluster Analysis 1 (N = 74) identified three clusters but failed to support the initial hypothesis. Clusters differentiated between clinical, at risk, and average range behavioral rankings, especially on those behaviors that are immediately noticeable and conflict with structured situations.Cluster Analysis 2 (n = 26) was limited to those with initial referral questions of an attentional disorder. All procedures of analysis 1 were repeated with this subset. Three clusters supported the inattentive and hyperactive profiles predicted.