Differences in anger,aggression,depression,and anxiety between ADHD and non-ADHD children

Abstract

Differences in anger, aggression, depression, and anxiety between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disordered (ADHD) and Non-ADHD children were explored in this investigation. Data were collected from ADHD and Non-ADHD children and their mothers and teachers. Analysis of the self-report data indicated that the ADHD children were significantly more angry and depressed than the Non-ADHD children. In addition, mothers reported that ADHD children were significantly more aggressive and depressed than Non-ADHD children. Further examination of the mothers' report data showed a multivariate effect approaching statistical significance (p< .06) for the interaction between ADHD-group and gender. Analyses of the interaction indicated that ADHD males were significantly more depressed than Non-ADHD males and Non-ADHD females. The teacher-report data did not reveal any statistically significant differences between groups. However, the differences between the ADHD and Non-ADHD groups approached significance (p < .06) and further analysis revealed that teachers perceived ADHD children as more depressed and anxious than Non-ADHD children. The results are discussed with respect to previous research. Clinical implications are considered.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

American Psychiatric Association . (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Barkley, R.A. (1990). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. New York: Guilford Press.

Barkley, R.A. (1994). More on the new theory of ADHD. The ADHD Report, 2 (2), 1-4.

Barkley, R.A. (1996, Spring). Manual to accompany the workshop on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adults. Unpublished manuscript, University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

Barkley, R.A. (1997a). Behavioral inhibition, sustained attention, and executive functions: Constructing a unifying theory of ADHD. Psychological Bulletin, 121, 65-94.

Barkley, R.A. (1997b). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, self-regulation and time: Toward a more comprehensive theory. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 18, 271-279.

Barkley, R.A. (1998). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

Barkley, R.A. , Murphy, K. , & Kwasnik, D. (1996). Psychological adjustment and adaptive impairments in young adults with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 1, 41-54.

Bohline, D.S. (1985). Intellectual and affective characteristics of attention deficit disordered children. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 18, 604-608.

10.

Conner, C.K. (1997). Conners' rating scales-revised: Technical manual. New York: Multi-Health Systems Inc.

11.

Dulcan, M.K. (1989). Attention deficit disorders. In Last, C.G. & Hersen, M. (Eds.), Handbook of child psychiatric diagnosis. New York: Wiley.

12.

Gomez, R.L. , Janowsky, D. , Zetin, M. , Huey, L. , & Clopton, P.L. (1981). Adult psychiatric diagnosis and symptoms compatible with the hyperactive child syndrome: A retrospective study. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 42, 389-394.

13.

Gordon, M. (1995). How to operate an ADHD clinic or subspecialty practice. DeWitt, NY: GSI Publications.

14.

Jacobs, G.A. (1984). The pediatric anxiety scale. Unpublished manuscript.

15.

Jacobs, G.A., & Blumer, C. (1984). The pediatric anger scale. Unpublished manuscript.

16.

Jacobs, G.A. , Phelps, M. , & Rohrs, B. (1989). Assessment of anger expression in children: The pediatric anger expression scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 10, 59-65.

17.

Jacobs, G.A., Phelps, M., Rohrs, B., & Hoenie, T. (1987). The pediatric anger expression scale. Unpublished manuscript.

18.

Kovacs, M. (1983). The Children's Depression Inventory: A self-rated depression scale for school-aged youngsters. Unpublished manuscript. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.

19.

Mann, H. , & Greenspan, S. (1976). The identification and treatment of adult brain dysfunction. American Journal of Psychiatry, 133, 1013-1017.

20.

Milberger, S. , Biederman, J. , Faraone, S.V. , Murphy, J. , & Tsuang, M.T. (1995). ADHD and comorbid disorders: Issues of overlapping symptoms. American Journal of Psychiatry, 152, 1793-1799.

21.

Ramirez, C.A. , Rosen, L.A. , Deffenbacher, J. , Hurst, H. , Nicoletta, C. , Rosencranz, T. , & Smith, K. (1997). Anger and anger expression in adults with high ADHD symptoms. Journal of Attention Disorders, 2, 115-128.

22.

Reynolds, C.R. , & Kamphaus, R.W. (1992). Behavior assessment system for children: Manual. Circle Pines, Minnesota: American Guidance Service, Inc.

23.

Ross, D.M. , & Ross, S.A. (1982). Hyperactivity: Current issues, research, and theory. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

24.

Sprinkle, BJ. (1992). The role of affect in the diagnosis of attentional disorders. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University, Houston.

25.

Szatmari, P. , Offord, D.R. , & Boyle, M.H. (1989). Ontario child health study: Prevalence of Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 30, 219-230.

26.

Taylor, E. (1995). Dysfunctions of attention. In D. Cicchetti & DJ. Cohen (Eds.), Developmental psychopathology, vol 2: Risk, disorder, and adaptation. New York: Wiley & Sons, Inc.