Methodology note
Methodology of the ADHD test for women questionnaire
This page describes where the items come from, how the score is computed and the limits of this questionnaire. It is public and asks for no sign-up.
1Where the items come from
The items are written for Brain Quiz from the published literature in the field.
The 24 items in this questionnaire were written for Brain Quiz from the published literature on how attention difficulties present in adult women. No published scale is reproduced, in whole or in part: not the World Health Organization ASRS, not the CAARS, not the DIVA, not the WURS. The references below document the field being explored, they are not the source of the items.
2How the score is computed
Each answer is worth 0 to 4 points, multiplied by the weight of the item, which ranges from 1 to 3. On reversed items the scale is flipped: a high answer lowers the score. The total is rescaled to 100 and placed in one of four reading bands. The four axes are computed separately, each as a percentage of the maximum reachable on its own items. The weights and the band thresholds were set by the editorial team: they come from no population calibration and match no validated cut-off.
2.1The reading axes
Each item feeds a single axis. Each axis is computed as a percentage of the maximum reachable on its own items.
| Reading axis | Items |
|---|---|
| Internal distraction | 6 |
| Compensation strategies | 6 |
| Emotional regulation | 6 |
| Everyday load | 6 |
2.2The reading bands
The score brought back to 100 falls into one of these bands. The bounds are set by the editorial team, and shown here.
| Band | Range out of 100 | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Traits barely present in your answers | 0 to 29 | nonea |
| Traits present on and off | 30 to 54 | conversation suggestedb |
| Traits clearly present | 55 to 74 | conversation suggestedb |
| Marked and steady traits | 75 to 100 | reinforced guidancec |
- No guidance message comes with this band.
- The result mentions that a conversation with a professional can help.
- The result shows a guidance message towards a health professional.
3Limits of the result
This questionnaire does not measure how long your difficulties have been present, even though their persistence since childhood is central to an assessment by a health professional. It does not measure their real impact on your life either, nor the other possible explanations: insufficient sleep, anxiety, thyroid conditions, a prolonged period of overload. These elements are central to a professional assessment, and none of them is within reach of an online questionnaire.
4References
Each entry carries its authors, year, title, journal and identifier.
- Young, S., Adamo, N., Ásgeirsdóttir, B. B., Branney, P., Beckett, M., Colley, W., et al. (2020). Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 404. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9 opens in a new tab ↑
- Hinshaw, S. P., Nguyen, P. T., O'Grady, S. M., & Rosenthal, E. A. (2022). Annual Research Review: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls and women: underrepresentation, longitudinal processes, and key directions. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 63(4), 484-496. doi:10.1111/jcpp.13480 opens in a new tab ↑
- Quinn, P. O., & Madhoo, M. (2014). A Review of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Women and Girls: Uncovering This Hidden Diagnosis. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596 opens in a new tab ↑
- Kooij, J. J. S., Bijlenga, D., Salerno, L., Jaeschke, R., Bitter, I., Balazs, J., et al. (2019). Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD. European Psychiatry, 56, 14-34. doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.11.001 opens in a new tab ↑