Psychosocial factors associated with parent and teacher reports of aggression in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE

The prognosis for individuals diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid aggression is substantially worse than for those with ADHD alone. This study investigates the contribution of key psychosocial factors to both parent and teacher reports of aggressive behaviour in children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. It was hypothesized that greater impairment in each would be associated with higher levels of both parent-rated and teacher-rated aggression.

METHOD

Information collected during semi-structured clinical interviews from 676 boys and girls aged 6 to 16 and diagnosed with ADHD was analysed. Measures of potential psychosocial factors including parental psychopathology, family functioning, marital relationship quality and child interpersonal relationship status were administered. Ratings of aggression were obtained from both parents and teachers, and the association of psychosocial measures for each were separately analysed.

RESULTS

Correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed significant associations between parent-rated aggression and measures of increased parent psychopathology, decreased family function and deficient child interpersonal relationships. Teacher-rated aggression was only associated with deficient child interpersonal relationships.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight important differences in the psychosocial factors that contribute to parent and teacher ratings of aggression in the context of ADHD. The implications of these findings for both the clinician and researcher are discussed.