The Effect of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosis on Social Factors: A Causal Model Using Propensity Score Analysis

• In Event: 42.083 - Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 42.083-14 - Special Education Research SIG Roundtable Discussion 2

Abstract

The symptoms characteristic of ADHD may play a role in problematic social behaviors. Using propensity score analysis and inverse propensity score weighting on data from the fifth grade wave (n=9,950) of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-98, we present a causal model of the effect of ADHD diagnosis on four social-related latent outcome variables from the Social Rating Scale. After applying propensity score adjustment, the standardized means among those students with ADHD diagnosis differed significantly from the means for students without an ADHD diagnosis for all four factors. These differences were statistically and practically significant and identified a causal link between ADHD diagnosis and scores on the four social outcomes of interest.

Authors

• Tracey Nicole Sulak, Baylor University

• Grant B. Morgan, Baylor University

• Kristen L. Padilla-Mainor, Baylor University

• Harlee Floyd, Baylor University