Observed classroom behavior of children with ADHD: Relationship to gender and comorbidity

Howard B. Abikoff, Peter S. Jensen, L. L.Eugene Arnold, Betsy Hoza, Lily Hechtman, Simcha Pollack, Diane Martin, Jose Alvir, John S. March, Stephen Hinshaw, Benedetto Vitiello, Jeffrey Newcorn, Andrew Greiner, Dennis P. Cantwell, C. Keith Conners, Glen Elliott, Laurence L. Greenhill, Helena Kraemer, William E. Pelham, Joanne B. SevereJames M. Swanson, Karen Wells, Tim Wigal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

215 Scopus citations

Abstract

Examined hypothesized gender and comorbidity differences in the observed classroom behavior of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The behavior of 403 boys and 99 girls with ADHD, ages 7-10, was compared (a) to observed, sex-specific classroom behavior norms, (b) by sex, and (c) by comorbid subgroups. Boys and girls with ADHD deviated significantly from classroom norms on 15/16 and 13/16 categories, respectively. Compared to comparison girls, girls with ADHD had relatively high rates of verbal aggression to children. Boys with ADHD engaged in more rule-breaking and externalizing behaviors than did girls with ADHD, but the sexes did not differ on more "neutral," unobtrusive behaviors. The sex differences are consistent with notions of why girls with ADHD are identified and referred later than boys. Contrary to hypothesis, the presence of comorbid anxiety disorder (ANX) was not associated with behavioral suppression; yet, as hypothesized, children with a comorbid disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) had higher rates of rule-breaking, and impulsive and aggressive behavior, than did children with ADHD alone and those with ADHD+ANX. Elevated rates of ADHD behaviors were also observed in children with comorbid DBD, indicating that these behaviors are truly present and suggesting that reports of higher ADHD ratings in this subgroup are not simply a consequence of negative halo effects and rater biases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)349-359
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Abnormal Child Psychology
Volume30
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2002

Keywords

  • ADHD
  • Behavior
  • Classroom observations
  • Comorbidity
  • Sex differences

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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