Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a diagnosis applied to children who exhibit the following behaviors: (1) inattention (2) impulsiveness, (3) hyperactivity. ADHD is now known to be a lifelong problem where adolescents and adults continue to exhibit symptoms. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin (Heiligenstein E. et al., 1999) explored both psychological and academic functioning in ADHD college students. They reviewed charts of students who voluntarily sought a comprehensive assessment at the University's Counseling and Consultation Services. Relevant charts were classified into two groups:
- Group 1 (ADHD group) 26 students who received a diagnosis of ADHD
- Control Group: 28 students who requested a career interest inventory but did not receive or request any counseling sessions beyond those needed for the career inventory
Students in both groups completed the Inventory of Common Problems (ICP). The ICP is an established self-report measure (inventory) of college student problems that includes 31 questions in seven subset areas. The two subset areas that we will examine are (1) Academic Problems and (2) Depression. In each subset area, there were four questions each where a rating of 1 to 5 was possible. Because of this, within each subset area, the minimum score was 4 points and the maximum score was 20 points.
a. What type of observational study did the researchers at the University of Wisconsin use? Explain.
b. The two samples are which of the following: two independent or two dependent (matched pairs)?
c. Table 1 provides the results for the subset area: Academic Problems. What conclusion can be made when comparing the ADHD group to the control group? Why? Can you conclude that being ADHD causes a student to have a higher score in the subset area of academic problems? Explain.
Table: Results for Subset Area: Academic Problems (Heiligenstein E. et al, 1999)
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ADHD
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Controls
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Sample Size (n)
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26
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28
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Mean Score
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14.5 points
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10.4 points
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St Dev (S.D.)
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3.7 points
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3.9 points
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S.E.
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.73 points
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.74 points
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95% C.I. for Population Mean Subset Score
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14.5 ± 2(.73) =
14.5 ± 1.5 = approx
(13 to 16 ) points
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10.4 ± 2(.74) =
10.4 ± 1.5 = approx
(9 to 12) points
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d. Table 2 provides the results for the subset area: Depression. What conclusion can be made when comparing the ADHD group to the control group? Why?
Table: Results for Subset Area: Depression (Heiligenstein E. et al, 1999)
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ADHD
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Controls
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Sample Size (n)
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26
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28
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Mean Score
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8.3 points
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7.0 points
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St Dev (S.D.)
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2.5 points
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3.2 points
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S.E
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.5 points
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.6 points
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95% C.I. for Population Mean Subset Score
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8.3 ± 2(.5) =
8.3 ± 1.0 = approx
(7 to 9) points
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7.0 ± 2(.6) =
7.0 ± 1.2 = approx
(6 to 8) points
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