Mother-child interactions in ADHD and comparison boys: Relationships with overt and covert externalizing behavior

Abstract

Reciprocal relationships between child characteristics and such familial factors as parental psychopathology and interaction style with the child characterize the development and maintenance of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as its comorbidity with antisocial behavior. Our goal was to ascertain the ability of negative maternal behavior exhibited during mother-son interactions to predict independently observed overt and covert externalizing behavior in the child, controlling for current maternal symptomatology and the boy's acting out behavior during the interaction. Participants were 49 boys with ADHD and 37 comparison boys, aged 6 to 12 years. Hierarchical multiple-regression analyses revealed that, even with maternal psychopathology and child negativity with the mother partialed, maternal negative behaviors predicted both observed noncompliance exhibited in class and play settings and laboratory stealing. Stealing was predicted from maternal negativity even with child interactional compliance controlled. Differential predictions of noncompliance were revealed in ADHD versus comparison families, yet similar patterns emerged for stealing within each group. Results are discussed in light of the high risk for antisocial behavior in ADHD children.

What they want and what they get: The social goals of boys with ADHD and comparison boys

“…During the summer research program, we also investigated ADHD children's responses to methylphenidate. Other research utilizing this sample is reported in Anderson, Hinshaw, and Simmel (1994); Hinshaw, Simmel, and Heller (1995);and Nigg, Swanson, and Hinshaw (1996).…”

Predictors of Adolescent Functioning in Girls With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Role of Childhood ADHD, Conduct Problems, and Peer Status

“…Percentage of agreement among raters for these two categories is: NC = .70 and physical/verbal aggression = .60 (Hinshaw, 2002). This system has received extensive validation in terms of known-groups validity , as an indicator of medication response (Hinshaw et al, 1989), as a predictor of initial sociometric impressions (Erhardt & Hinshaw, 1994), and as a criterion measure for the effects of parenting behavior (Anderson et al, 1994).…”

Mother?Son Interactions in Families of Boys With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With and Without Oppositional Behavior

“…ADHD is believed to have multiple etiologies, many of which are biologically based and include genetic factors (see Barkley, 1998, for a review of studies). However, the expression of problems associated with ADHD, for example oppositional behavior, appears to have a strong relationship with social or environmental factors as well (Anderson, Hinshaw, & Simmel, 1994;August, Realmuto, Joyce, & Hektner, 1999;Barkley, 1998;Campbell, Breaux, Ewing, & Szumowski, 1986;Johnston & Mash, 2001). In particular, it has been argued that the development of oppositional behavior in children with ADHD is related to family variables such as coercive parenting and parental psychopathology (Moffitt, 1990;Whalen & Henker, 1999; see also Carlson, Tamm, & Hogan, 1999, for a review of studies).…”

“…Elements of parenting responsiveness, such as negative affect, have been found to predict oppositional behavior in boys with ADHD even with the effects of child negative behavior and maternal psychopathology controlled (Anderson et al, 1994). Some studies find that maternal insensitivity, intrusive parenting, and negative affect in infancy or the preschool years are predictors of both hyperactive and aggressive behaviors in school-aged children (Campbell et al, 1986;Campbell, Pierce, Moore, Marakovitz, & Newby, 1996;Carlson et al, 1995); however, other longitudinal research suggests that, after controlling for the effects of infant and family risk factors, the absence of maternal responsiveness in infancy predicts children's subsequent oppositional behavior, but not ADHD symptoms (Wakschlag & Hans, 1999).…”