Validity-Reliability of Nine Types Temperament Scale Adolescent Form (NTTS-A) and Relationship between Temperament Types and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

The purpose of this study is developing adolescent form (11-16 years old) of Nine Types Temperament Scale (NTTS) depending on Nine Types Temperament Model (Study 1) and evaluating and searching the relationship between Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Types of NTTM (Study 2). Sample of Study I consist of 1240 students who are between 11 and 16 years old. Pilot form of the Scale which consists of 90 items is tested with confirmatory factor analysis and with convergent and discriminant validity and the last version of the measure which consist of 82 items is prepared. Basic Personality Traits Inventory (BPTI) which depends on Fife Factor Model is used for Criterion-related validation. Results show that NTTS-A is valid and reliable measure for evaluating temperament types between 11-16 years adolescents. Their fit index is calculated as χ2 /df <3; SRMR, 0.06; RMSEA, 0.045; CFI, 0.909: TLI, 0901 supported to validity data. Sample of Study II consist of 56 adolescents who are diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV diagnosis criteria and 56 students who does not get diagnosed with ADHD or mental retardation/medical disorder. Temperament types of participants are evaluated by the agency of Study-I and NTTS-A, which is developed appropriate for Turkish culture. Indication of the study shows that there are more NTT7 and NTT8 in NTTM types between adolescents with ADHD than the group, who are not diagnosed with ADHD. As a result, it is discussed that traits which belong to some temperament types could have a predisposing effect on emergence of ADHD, experiencing these traits extreme severely could cause a view similar to ADHD and ADHD which is a neurodevelopmental disease could interact with temperament traits of person, in that way it could illustrate ADHD clinic. Available findings support critics about that students are labelled as ADHD specially in the last years in education environment even if they have mostly not developmental problems and students are diagnosed easily with limited observations. However, it is asserted that diagnosis based on temperament, treatment and psychosocial support programmes could be formed and effects of ADHD, which is a factor interacting with temperament traits, on personality structure of adolescents on their development process, could be predicted. Our study has the feature of being the first measure developing study which is intended to evaluate temperament types of adolescents between 11-16 years old and also it is has the feature of being the first study which searches relationship between NTTM types and ADHD.