The quick delay questionnaire: a measure of delay aversion and discounting in adults

Atten Defic Hyperact Disord. 2010 Mar;2(1):43-8. doi: 10.1007/s12402-010-0020-4. Epub 2010 Feb 21.

Abstract

Individuals with ADHD often display an altered response to delay. To date, assessment of this has typically involved neuropsychological testing-however, such tests are designed specifically for children and may not be suitable for adults. They are also relatively time-consuming and expensive. In the current paper, we describe the initial validation of a short questionnaire to assess delay-related behaviour in adults. The Quick Delay Questionnaire (QDQ) is a 10-item scale. The questionnaire was administered to 575 participants from the normal population (ranging in age from 18 to 77 years). Forty of the original sample were selected at random and tested 1 week later. Data on ADHD, anxiety and depression were also collected. There were two five-item scales-(1) delay aversion; and (2) delay discounting. These had internal consistency and had good reliability. Subscales were differentially associated with ADHD, anxiety and depression. The QDQ is a potentially valuable way of assessing response to delay in adults. Further work is required to validate the scale against direct observation and neuropsychological assessment in clinically ascertained samples.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology*
  • Avoidance Learning
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests / standards*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Reward
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Time Factors