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Psychiatric and Psychological Morbidity as a Function of Adaptive Disability in Preschool Children with Aggressive and Hyperactive-Impulsive-Inattentive Behavior

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, 27402

    Terri L. Shelton

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655

    Russell A. Barkley

  3. Worcester Public Schools, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01604

    Cheryl Crosswait & Maureen Moorehouse

  4. University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655

    Kenneth Fletcher, Susan Barrett, Lucy Jenkins & Lori Metevia

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  1. Terri L. Shelton
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  2. Russell A. Barkley
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Shelton, T.L., Barkley, R.A., Crosswait, C. et al. Psychiatric and Psychological Morbidity as a Function of Adaptive Disability in Preschool Children with Aggressive and Hyperactive-Impulsive-Inattentive Behavior. J Abnorm Child Psychol 26, 475–494 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022603902905

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