Psychiatric and psychological morbidity as a function of adaptive disability in preschool children with aggressive and hyperactive-impulsive-inattentive behavior

• Published in: Journal of abnormal child psychology 1998-12, Vol.26 (6), p.475-494
• Main Authors: SHELTON, T. L, BARKLEY, R. A, CROSSWAIT, C, MOOREHOUSE, M, FLETCHER, K, BARRETT, S, JENKINS, L, METEVIA, L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Achievement; Adaptation, Psychological; Adaptive behaviour; Adolescents; Aggression; Aggression - psychology; Aggressiveness; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - psychology; Attention deficit disorder; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Attention Deficit Disorders; Attention deficit disorders. Hyperactivity; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Behavior Problems; Behavior Rating Scales; Biological and medical sciences; Characteristics; Child clinical studies; Child psychology; Child, Preschool; Children & youth; Comorbidity; Control Groups; Female; Humans; Hyperactive children; Hyperactivity; Learning Disorders - diagnosis; Learning Disorders - psychology; Male; Medical sciences; Parenting - psychology; Personality Assessment; Preschool children; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Social Adjustment; Social Environment
• ISSN: 0091-0627; 2730-7166; 1573-2835; 2730-7174
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1022603902905

Children with high levels of aggressive-hyperactive-impulsive-inattentive behavior (AHII; n = 154) were subdivided into those with (n = 38) and without (n = 116) adaptive disability (+AD/-AD) defined as a discrepancy between expected versus actual adaptive functioning. They were compared to each other and a control group of 47 normal children. Both AHII groups were more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder than control children; more symptoms of general psychopathology; greater social skills deficits; more parental problems; and lower levels of academic achievement skills. Compared to AHII - AD children, AHII + AD children had (1) more conduct disorder; (2) greater inattention and aggression symptoms; (3) more social problems, less academic competence, and poorer self-control at school; (4) more severe and pervasive behavior problems across multiple home and school settings; and (5) parents with poorer child management practices. Thus, adaptive disability has utility as a marker for more severe and pervasive impairments in AHII children.