B-115: Inter-Item Analysis of the Grit Scale in Adolescents With and Without ADHD Following Concussion
Abstract
Objective: Resilience is influential in adolescent concussion recovery. Resilience can be defined and measured differently, and pre-existing conditions may influence self-reported resilience following concussion. The 12-Item Grit Scale (Grit-O) examines features of resilience through two subscales: Consistency of Interests and Perseverance of Effort. Some items, particularly from Consistency of Interests, may capture ADHD symptomology rather than resilience. Understanding item-level differences on the Grit-O between adolescents with and without ADHD may elucidate its utility in assessing resilience following concussion. Method/Data Selection: Participants (=219, n-non-ADHD=182, 54.54% female, n-ADHD=37, 51.35% female) aged 13-18 (m=14.94) were evaluated within one month of concussion at a North Texas Concussion Registry (ConTex) clinic. Participants reported ADHD status and completed the 12-Item Grit-O. Independent samples t-tests compared individual item scores within subscales between ADHD and non-ADHD groups; Spearman’s correlations (rs) investigated individual inter-item relationships. Results/Data Synthesis: The ADHD group scored lower on 6 of the 12 Grit-O items: new ideas distract me, losing interest after short-term obsession, often changing goals, difficulty focusing on long term-projects, finishing whatever I begin, and often interested in new pursuits (p< 0.05). Correlations between items differed between ADHD and non-ADHD groups on nine item pairs and involved the items demonstrating differences on the t-tests. Table 1 includes full Grit-O items and rs. Conclusions: Results suggest that complex response patterns exist on the Grit-O in adolescents with ADHD, particularly on items from the Consistency of Interests subscale, which may be confounded with preexisting ADHD symptomology. This relationship may require more sensitive interpretation and further investigation of resilience and ADHD.