Development and Validation of a Self-Report Inventory for Hyperactivity in Adult ADHD Using Competence-Based Knowledge Structure Theory

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a self-report inventory for assessing hyperactivity symptoms in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), by using Competence-based Knowledge Structure Theory (CbKST). This framework allows for identifying the symptoms of ADHD an individual meets based on item responses. A 22-item dichotomous inventory was constructed based on nine DSM-V hyperactivity symptoms. The validation process was conducted on a sample of 495 participants using the Competence-Based Local Independence Model (CBLIM), which revealed an unsatisfactory model fit, although the test allowed for uniquely uncovering the particular set of symptoms any individual meets. False positives and false negative probabilities provided insight into the item functioning, with high false negative probabilities for two items, suggesting possible underreporting due to social desirability bias, positive illusory bias, or ambiguous wording. Overall, the study provides a strong foundation for the theoretical framework in conceptualizing hyperactivity, offering novel groundwork for more precise and informative psychological assessments in the future.