'Situational hyperactivity' in a U.S. clinical setting.

Eight of 69 males referred to a Hyperactivity Clinic for participation in psychopharmacological trials were not rated hyperactive by their primary caretaker on a parent symptom questionnaire. In comparison to eight boys for whom both parent and teacher ratings of hyperactivity were high, the group differed only in caretaker status. 'Situational' children were less likely to be living with both biological parents (P less than 0.05). In contrast, direct observation and actometer measurement of activity did not differ significantly between the groups. The findings suggest that at least in clinical settings, a distinction between 'situational' and 'pervasive' hyperactivity reflects caretaker status or attitude and not characteristics of the child.