Quantifying the Relationship Between Perceived Consequences of ADHD Medication and Its Usage

Abstract

Objective: To address a major barrier of medication noncompliance for individuals with ADHD, the authors present the ADHD Medication Attitude Scale (AMAS) with initial psychometric analyses and discriminant validity data. Method: The AMAS was posted on ADHD websites, along with questions about demographics and medication usage over a 6-month period. A total of 356 ADHD respondents qualified for data analysis (160 males, 196 females, mean age = 18.58, years range = 13-62 years, SD = 6.07). Results: Factor analysis revealed two factors: one indicating positive and the other indicating negative attitude toward medication. The final refined 22-item scale demonstrated good reliability (α =.83). More positive and less negative attitude factor scores, as well as age (older than 19 years), independently predicted respondents’ self-report of taking medication, χ2 (1, N = 248) = 38.95, p < .001. Conclusion: The AMAS is a psychometrically sound means of assessing attitudes toward ADHD medication, which significantly relate to self-reported medication usage.