Peer victimization and the association with hippocampal development and working memory in children with ADHD and typically-developing children

Abstract

The symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention displayed by children with ADHD put them at risk of experiencing peer victimization. Hippocampal maturation, may reduce a child’s vulnerability to the experience of peer victimization, as it has been associated with decreased ADHD symptomatology. Working memory is an important executive function in the formation and maintenance of social relationships, which is often impaired in ADHD. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between problem behaviours, peer victimization, hippocampal morphology, and working memory in children with and without ADHD. 218 typically-developing participants (50.5% male) and 232 participants diagnosed with ADHD (77.6% male) were recruited. The ADHD group was subdivided into inattentive (ADHD-I) or combined (ADHD-C) types. The Child Behavior Checklist measured problem behaviours and peer victimization. Children underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Hippocampal subfield volumes were obtained using FreeSurfer. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-fifth edition measured working memory (WM). The ADHD-C group displayed significantly higher levels of problem behaviours and peer victimization (all, p < 0.001), compared to the other groups. Left Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) volume was a positive predictor of peer victimization (all, p < 0.013). Left CA3 volume was a positive predictor of WM and left Cornu Ammonis 4 (CA4) volume negatively predicted WM (all, p < 0.025). A cluster analysis revealed that children displaying symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are the most at risk for peer victimization. Interventions focusing on minimizing peer victimization may aid in mitigating adverse downstream effects, and assist in promoting brain health and cognitive function.

A latent profile analysis of emotional, behavioral, and social problems among victims of bullying

“…Previous studies using a variable‐centered approach showed that bullying victimization is associated with a range of emotional, behavioral, and social problems (Barker et al, 2008; Champion et al, 2003; Moore et al, 2017; Papadopoulos et al, 2021). These variations in internalizing, externalizing, and social problems associated with being a target of bullying as well as simultaneously being a target and a perpetrator might be indicative of the existence of several distinct profiles among bullied children and adolescents.…”

“…Moreover, it has been shown that bullied children and adolescents may present mental health and social problems with varying levels of severity. Several recent studies indicate that victims of bullying can experience mild to severe hyperactivity symptoms that act as a risk factor for being bullied (Papadopoulos et al, 2021; Winters et al, 2020). Similarly, Eastman et al (2018) found that some victims of bullying show moderate depression and anxiety problems, whereas others experience severe emotional problems (Eastman et al, 2018).…”

Effects of the SNAP-25 Mnll variant on hippocampal functional connectivity in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

“…The hippocampus plays a crucial role in spatial navigation and consolidation of information from short-term to long-term memory ( Bird and Burgess, 2008 ; Zhong et al, 2020 ). Studies have reported mixed findings on hippocampal morphology in ADHD patients, with some suggesting larger volumes as a compensatory reaction to impaired temporal processing ( Plessen et al, 2006 ), while others have related lower hippocampal volumes to more severe ADHD symptomatology ( Papadopoulos et al, 2021 ).…”

An Shen Ding Zhi Ling Ameliorates the Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder via Modulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Related Signaling Pathways

“…Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as a common mental disorder in children, currently affects 5% of children around the world. Its symptoms are mainly inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity [ 1 ]. Multivariate meta-regression analyses have shown that the pooled prevalence estimate of ADHD in China was 6.3% [ 2 ].…”