RESUMO
Effort testing is a standard element in adult neuropsychological assessment. Research examining performance validity tests (PVTs) has focused on adults. The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine direct and embedded PVTs in children and adolescents. The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), a stand-alone PVT, was compared to two embedded measures of effort: California Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version/Second Edition (CVLT-C/II) Recognition Discriminability and Reliable Digit Span (RDS). The sample consisted of 119 children and adolescents referred for outpatient assessment. Cut-off scores used for PVTs were based on previous studies. Results revealed 3/119 failures on the TOMM, 14/119 failures on the RDS, and 34/119 failures on the CVLT-C/II. There was a significant difference between failures on the TOMM and the RDS, as well as between failures on the TOMM and the CVLT-C/II and the RDS and the CVLT-C/II. The results of this study demonstrate that PVTs commonly used with adults may require modifications, including adjusted cut-off scores, to be appropriate with children and adolescents. Results of this study also suggest that relying on more than one measure likely provides the most utility.
Assuntos
Disfunção Cognitiva/diagnóstico , Simulação de Doença/diagnóstico , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Desempenho Psicomotor/fisiologia , Adolescente , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Testes Neuropsicológicos/normas , Testes Neuropsicológicos/estatística & dados numéricos , Aprendizagem Verbal/fisiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Few studies have examined the psychological benefits of physical activity in children with ADHD who may be at higher risk for mood and anxiety problems. This study explores the relationship between participation in physical activity and emotional functioning in children with ADHD. METHOD: Scores on parent-reported measures of mood and behavior were retrospectively compared among a group of 65 children (ages 6 to 14) diagnosed with ADHD based on their amount of sport participation. A total of 32 children diagnosed with a learning disorder (LD) were used as a comparison group. RESULTS: Children with ADHD who participated in three or more sports displayed significantly fewer anxiety or depression symptoms than did those who participated in fewer than three sports. These differences were not evident among children with LDs. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that active sport participation may be associated with a reduced expression of anxiety or depression symptoms in children with ADHD.