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Comparison of Psychosocial Correlates in Primary School Age Children with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder- Combined Type, with and without Dysthymic Disorder

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Abstract

In this study, standardized assessments of maternal psychopathology, family functioning and marital adjustment were compared between 115 medication naïve, clinically referred primary school age children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder combined type (ADHD-CT) alone and 29 children with comorbid dysthymic disorder (DD) and ADHD-CT. The mothers of children with ADHD-CT and DD reported higher rates of anxiety and depression than those of children with ADHD-CT alone. These results reinforce the need for early recognition of comorbid DD when working with children with ADHD-CT. Increased rates of maternal anxiety and depression in children with ADHD-CT and DD may contribute to the children’s symptoms, require specific psychological and/or medication treatments and careful ongoing monitoring of these specific treatments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Child Psychiatry Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Rd, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Katrina Harris, Marilyn Boots, Jessica Talbot & Alasdair Vance

Authors
  1. Katrina Harris
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  2. Marilyn Boots
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  3. Jessica Talbot
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  4. Alasdair Vance
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Correspondence to Katrina Harris.

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Harris, K., Boots, M., Talbot, J. et al. Comparison of Psychosocial Correlates in Primary School Age Children with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder- Combined Type, with and without Dysthymic Disorder. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 36, 419–426 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-006-0012-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-006-0012-y

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