An examination of the psychometric properties of scores on the Family Strain Index (FSI) in a general community sample.

Given the potentially harmful effects of parenting stress on parents, children, and their relationship, it is critical to have a reliable and valid measure of parenting stress in clinical and community samples. The Family Strain Index (FSI) is a brief questionnaire designed to measure stress and demand on parents of children with ADHD. The present study is the first to evaluate the psychometric properties of scores on the FSI in a general community sample. Parents (89% mothers) of 550 preschool children (aged 2-5 years; 50% boys) sampled through 17 kindergartens located in Danish cities and villages completed the FSI, the ADHD Rating Scale (RS)-IV Preschool Version, and a background questionnaire. FSI scores were characterized by restricted range and floor effects. The scale's construct validity was not supported and the measurement repeatability after 1 month was low. The scale did have convergent validity as levels of parenting stress were associated with perceived ADHD behavior in off-spring, but overall, results did not encourage the use of the FSI as a measure of parenting stress in the general population. Measures that include more normative events may be more appropriate when attempting to capture parenting stress in general community samples.

The ADHD rating scale-IV preschool version: Factor structure, reliability, validity, and standardisation in a Danish community sample.

BACKGROUND: ADHD is a debilitating disorder with symptoms often appearing in early childhood. To facilitate early identification, developmentally appropriate and validated assessment tools for the preschool-age are needed. AIMS: The current study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the ADHD Rating Scale (RS)-IV Preschool Version (-P) in a Danish community sample and provide national standardisation data. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Parents (n = 916) and kindergarten teachers (n = 275) of preschool children, aged 3-5 years, completed the ADHD RS-IV-P. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a three-factor model (inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity) best fit the data regardless of rater. Scales generally showed acceptable internal consistency, test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and criterion validity. Boys received higher ratings on the ADHD RS-IV-P than girls and younger preschool children were rated as more inattentive than older preschool children. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings support the reliability and validity of the ADHD RS-IV-P and a three-factor model of ADHD. However, high factor correlations and similarity in model fit suggest that more research is needed to clarify the organisation of ADHD symptoms in preschool children. Furthermore, the external validity of separate ADHD dimensions at this age should be examined.