Psychometric characteristics of a Chinese translation of the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV) in Hong Kong

It has been recognized that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) does not necessarily dissipate with age with symptoms often taking a heavier toll in adults. Despite adult ADHD has received considerable scientific interests in the West, it remains largely understudied in Chinese populations, especially in Hong Kong where a reliable and valid measure for assessing ADHD symptoms in adults is lacking. As a first step in addressing this gap in local literature, this study prepared a Chinese version of the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV) and presented its psychometric properties in a convenience sample of 304 Hong Kong Chinese adults.;All participants completed the Chinese BAARS-IV Current Symptoms scale for assessing current symptoms of adult ADHD and sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) as well as the Chinese BAARS-IV Childhood Symptoms scale for measuring retrospectively recalled symptoms of child ADHD. Participants also completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) for assessing symptoms in nine dimensions of psychopathology.;Results yielded a five-factor solution for the Chinese BAARS-IV Current Symptoms scale, representing inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, sluggishness, and ennui and a two-factor solution for the Chinese BAARS-IV Childhood Symptoms scale, representing inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, which were similar but statistically different from the original factor structures of the U.S. normative sample. Findings also showed good internal consistency among the Chinese BAARS-IV Current Symptoms subscales (range of alpha's = .72 -- .88) and Childhood Symptoms subscales (range of alpha's = .91 -- .94). Additionally, current adult ADHD (range of alpha's = .43 --.55) and retrospective child ADHD symptom ratings (range of alpha's = .28 -- .42) were found to have significant associations with ratings on nine dimensions of psychopathology yet emerged as a distinct dimension from general psychopathology symptoms. Lastly, screening prevalence of adult ADHD was estimated to be at 3% based on this sample of Hong Kong adults.;These results suggest symptom manifestations of adult ADHD to be similar between American adults and this sample of Hong Kong adults and support the Chinese BAARS-IV to be a reliable and valid self-reporting instrument for measuring ADHD symptoms in Hong Kong adults that can be used for screening, assisting diagnosis, and conducting research.