Date of Submission

2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

Donald P. Masey, PsyD

Second Advisor

Robert DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP

Third Advisor

Jean-Pierre Assouad, PsyD

Abstract

Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with significant functional impairment, but uncertainty remains regarding the relative clinical utility of commonly used neuropsychological measures in comprehensive ADHD evaluations. The present study examined the predictive and incremental value of nine assessment measures commonly used in adult ADHD evaluations. Using a retrospective archival design, data from 125 adults referred for educational or vocational neuropsychological evaluations for ADHD at a university-affiliated clinic were analyzed. Symptom elevation was approximated by the ADHD Index from the self-report form of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS). Predictors included the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version (BRIEF-A) Self and Informant-Report, Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS), Conners Continuous Performance Test – Third Edition (CPT-3), Conners Continuous Auditory Test of Attention (CATA), Category Test, Trail-Making Test Part B, Speech Sounds Perception Test, and the Working Memory Index from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). Multiple and hierarchical regression analyses examined the relative predictive value of these measures and the incremental contribution of performance-based tests beyond rating scales. Results indicated that self-report measures, particularly the Global Executive Composite (GEC) from the BRIEF-A Self-Report, accounted for the greatest proportion of variance in ADHD symptom elevation. Performance-based neuropsychological tests demonstrated comparatively weak predictive associations and provided minimal incremental value beyond rating scales. Implications for practice are discussed.

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