Examining Diagnostic Bias Among Clinicians When Diagnosing Adults with AD/HD

Abstract

A mixed methods research design consisting of both quantitative and qualitative data collection examined mental health clinicians’ perceptions, clinical understanding, and potential for bias of adult Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). It was predicted that clinicians who were diagnosed with AD/HD and/or have a first-degree family member with AD/HD would administer a more comprehensive diagnostic evaluation when assessing AD/HD in adults. It was believed that in-group clinicians would be less likely to use results from other clinicians, be more likely to use the DSM-V criteria, and use multiple assessment tools. Mental health clinicians including pre-doctoral psychology students (n=3), post-doctoral psychology students (n= 3), Marriage and Family Therapists (n= 1), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (n=2), and licensed Psychologists (n= 4), completed an interview, regarding their perceptions, experiences, and identification with (AD/HD). Results showed that in-group clinicians provided more detail in their responses regarding comorbidity, need for collateral information and more assessment measures. Both groups identified a lack of training in diagnosing and treating adults with AD/HD, indicating potential diagnostic assessment bias. Due to small participant pool (n=13), qualitative analysis was used and findings cannot be generalized. It is recommended that this study be repeated with more participants to examine the potential for similar or different response patterns between in-group and out-group participants, as well as examine how many depth-oriented psychologists apply the psychoanalytic approach to diagnosis and treatment formulation.