Assessment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.
Authors: C. Keith Conners, PhD, Drew Erhardt, PhD, and Elizabeth Sparrow, PhD
Multiple perspectives help provide a well-rounded view of ADHD.
Based on the same clinical expertise, research skills, and theoretical knowledge used to develop the Conners' Rating Scales-Revised for children and adolescents, the CAARS has been designed to help assess, diagnose, and monitor treatment of ADHD in adults.
Two formats are included for self-report ratings and observer ratings. Both the self-report and observer forms provide multimodal assessments of the same behaviors and problems, and contain an identical set of scales, subscales, and indexes. CAARS forms are available in long, short, and screening versions. A new user's guide enables the instrument to be used effectively with correctional populations as well.
| Administer To |
Age 18 and older (For children and adolescents, see the CRS-R.) |
| Completion Time |
Approximately 10-15 minutes |
| Formats |
Paper-and-pencil format |
| Scoring |
Hand scoring |
| Norms |
Nonclinical self-report: 1,026 individuals
Observer form: 943 individuals |
Two formats are included for self-report ratings and observer ratings. Both the self-report and observer forms provide multimodal assessments of the same behaviors and problems and contain an identical set of scales, subscales, and indexes. CAARS forms are available in long, short, and screening versions.
Long Version
The long version of the self-report form (CAARS-S:L) and observer form (CAARS-O:L) has 66 items and contains nine empirically-derived scales that help assess a broad range of problem behaviors:
- Inattention/Memory Problems
- Impulsivity/Emotional Lability
- Hyperactivity/Restlessness
- Problems with Self-Concept
The long forms also include:
- DSM-IV® ADHD symptom measures - help assess Inattentive Symptoms, Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms, and Total ADHD Symptoms
- ADHD Index - 12 items that help identify respondents who may benefit from a more detailed clinical assessment
- Inconsistency Index - helps identify random or careless responding
Short Versions
The short versions of the self-report form (CAARS-S:S) and observer form (CAARS-O:S) contain abbreviated versions of the factor-derived subscales that appear on the long forms, plus the ADHD Index and the Inconsistency Index.
The self-report screening version (CAARS-S:SV) and observer screening version (CAARS-O:SV) are similar in design to the Conners' ADHD/DSM-IV Scales. The screening versions include the same 12-item ADHD Index available on the long forms, along with the DSM-IV ADHD Symptom Subscales.
The nonclinical self-report form was normed on 1,026 individuals and the observer form on 943. Separate norms are available by gender and age-group intervals.
This assessment is hand-scored.