New study aims to better understand children’s attention, behaviour and emotions
9 October 2025
Researchers at the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health have launched a new study exploring child development in Wales.
The study will invite parents and carers to complete questionnaires about their child, including a newly developed measure called the BEARS scale - the Behaviour, Emotion, and Attention Regulation Scale.
Created with input from parents, carers, healthcare and education professionals, and young people with lived experience of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the BEARS scale aims to capture a broad picture of how children regulate their attention, emotions and behaviour.
Dr Joanna Martin, who is leading the study, said the research will help improve understanding of ADHD across a more diverse range of children.
“ADHD may present differently by gender, which can lead to delayed diagnosis in girls and young women. It’s important that assessment tools can identify symptoms in a more inclusive way.”
Families across Wales are now being invited to take part. Parents and carers of children aged 9 to 11, with or without an ADHD diagnosis, are eligible to participate. Those who consent will be asked to complete an assessment pack about their child, which will help researchers test and validate the new BEARS scale.
Find out more about the study and how to take part in the Child Development in Wales study page
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We are looking for parents and carers to complete questionnaires about their child to help researchers better understand children's attention, behaviours, and emotions.
