What parts of the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) questionnaire assess hyperactivity and inattentive symptoms in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

ASRS Questionnaire Structure for ADHD Assessment

Part A (Screening Version - ASRS-V1.1)

Part A of the ASRS consists of 6 questions that serve as the initial screening tool, with 4 questions assessing inattention and 2 questions assessing hyperactivity/impulsivity. 1

Inattention Items in Part A

• Four items in Part A specifically measure inattentive symptoms and demonstrate good to very good discriminatory ability for detecting attention problems 2
• These inattention items in the screening version show robust psychometric properties for identifying individuals with predominantly inattentive presentations 2

Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Items in Part A

• Two items in Part A assess hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, though these items demonstrate somewhat less optimal fit compared to the inattention items 2
• A positive screen requires checking "often" or "very often" for 4 or more of the 6 questions in Part A 1

Full ASRS Structure (18-Item Version)

The complete ASRS contains 18 total items that align with DSM-5 criteria, divided into two distinct symptom domains: 3, 4

Inattention Subscale

• Nine items assess inattentive symptoms including poor attention to detail, difficulty concentrating, organizational challenges, and difficulty completing tasks 1
• The inattention subscale demonstrates internal consistency of 0.79-0.87 across validation studies 5

Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Subscale

• Nine items assess hyperactive-impulsive symptoms including fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, inner restlessness, excessive talking, and impulsive behaviors 1
• The hyperactivity subscale shows internal consistency of 0.68-0.89 5
• Recent factor analyses suggest this domain may further subdivide into motor hyperactivity/impulsivity and verbal hyperactivity/impulsivity components 4

Clinical Application Considerations

The ASRS demonstrates a bifactor structure with distinct dimensions, meaning the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity components can be scored and interpreted separately. 3, 4

Key Psychometric Properties

• The factor structure accounts for 67.7% of the variance in ADHD symptoms, with clear separation between inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity factors 3
• The screening version (Part A) shows sensitivity of 74-87.5% and specificity of 59-68.6% depending on the population studied 3, 5
• Internal consistency for the full 18-item version is excellent at 0.92 5

Important Caveats

• Adults with ADHD are more likely to present with predominantly inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactive symptoms, making the inattention items particularly important in adult populations 1
• The ASRS should be used as a screening tool, not a standalone diagnostic instrument, and requires comprehensive clinical evaluation including verification of impairment across multiple settings 6
• Some ASRS items may measure non-specific dimensions of impulsiveness common to other psychiatric conditions, particularly in populations with comorbid disorders 7