Cross-Cultural Adult ADHD Assessment in 42 Countries Using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Cross-cultural Psychology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a recognized condition with significant global impact.
• Understanding its cross-cultural prevalence and correlates is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.
• Existing research often lacks diverse representation, particularly from non-Western countries and minority groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cross-cultural occurrence and correlates of adult ADHD symptoms.
• To psychometrically evaluate the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener in a global context.
• To examine variations in adult ADHD prevalence across different countries and demographic groups.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from a large-scale international survey (N=72,627) across 42 countries.
• Psychometric assessment of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener for reliability, validity, and cross-cultural invariance.
• Statistical analysis of adult ADHD symptom occurrence and associations with demographic and health factors.

Main Results:

• The ASRS Screener demonstrated good reliability and validity with partial invariance across cultures and genders.
• A significant portion of the sample screened positive for adult ADHD (21.4% women, 18.1% men).
• Prevalence varied significantly by country, with higher rates in English-speaking Western nations and lower rates in East Asian and non-English-speaking European countries. Gender-diverse individuals showed particularly high symptom severity and occurrence. Associations were found with age, mental/sexual health, and socioeconomic status.

Conclusions:

• Significant cross-cultural variability exists in adult ADHD occurrence, influenced by various factors.
• Further research is essential for understudied populations (non-Western countries) and minority groups (gender-diverse individuals).
• The study underscores the need for improved adult ADHD screening and diagnosis, acknowledging the limitations of current instruments.