Inattentive Behavior in Childhood: Epidemiology and Implications for Development

Poor concentration is a relatively common childhood problem. The current North American psychiatric diagnostic classification system (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition; DSM-IV), American Psychological Association, 1994) differentiates children whose problems are d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of learning disabilities 2000-11, Vol.33 (6), p.520-536
Main Authors: Warner-Rogers, Jody, Taylor, Alan, Taylor, Eric, Sandberg, Seija
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Associative processes
Attention
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - physiopathology
Attention Deficit Disorders
Attention deficit disorders. Hyperactivity
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficits
Attention Span
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
Blue Collar Occupations
Child
Child clinical studies
Child Development
Childhood
Children
Classification
Cognition Disorders
Cognitive Development
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
Elementary Education
Environment
Environmental Influences
Epidemiologic Studies
Epidemiology
Family Characteristics
Family Influence
Family Relations
Fathers
Humans
Incidence
Language Acquisition
Language Development
Learning disabilities
Male
Medical sciences
Mental disorders
Occupations
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Social Behavior
Socioeconomic Influences
Special education
Student Characteristics
Subtypes
Young children
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Description
Summary:Poor concentration is a relatively common childhood problem. The current North American psychiatric diagnostic classification system (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition; DSM-IV), American Psychological Association, 1994) differentiates children whose problems are distinguished primarily by symptoms of inattention (ADHD-I) from those whose difficulties are characterized by overactive, impulsive behavior by providing various subtypes within a broad diagnostic category. Yet, comparatively little is known about children who exhibit purely inattentive behavior. This study aims to redress this issue by using a large, community-based, epidemiological sample of 7-year-old children to compare the developmental functioning, social, and environmental backgrounds of children with pure inattentive behavior to that of children with pure overactive behavior and combined problems of inattentive and overactive behavior. Five hypotheses, centered on the validity of distinguishing inattentive behavior from overactivity, are tested. Children with pure inattentive behavior were more likely to have general cognitive delays, particularly in the area of language development, and were more likely to come from a family in which the father was of low occupational status. The results are discussed in relation to the implications for research and the identification of needs and intervention with children who exhibit pure inattentive behavior.
ISSN:0022-2194
1538-4780
DOI:10.1177/002221940003300602