The Direct/Indirect Association of ADHD/ODD Symptoms with Self-esteem, Self-perception, and Depression in Early Adolescents

Abstract

The present study aimed to reveal the influences of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms on self-esteem and self-perception during early adolescence and to clarify the spillover effect of self-esteem on depressive symptoms. ADHD symptoms in 564 early adolescents were evaluated via teacher-rating scales. Self-esteem and depressive symptoms were assessed via self-reported scales. We analyzed the relationships among these symptoms using structural equation modeling. Severe inattentive symptoms decreased self-esteem and hyperactive–impulsive symptoms affected self-perception for non-academic domains. Although these ADHD symptoms did not directly affect depressive symptoms, low self-esteem led to severe depression. ODD symptoms had a direct impact on depression without the mediating effects of self-esteem. These results indicated that inattentive symptoms had a negative impact on self-esteem and an indirect negative effect on depressive symptoms in adolescents, even if ADHD symptoms were subthreshold. Severe ODD symptoms can be directly associated with depressive symptoms during early adolescence.

Self-Concept and Inattention or Hyperactivity–Impulsivity Symptomatology: The Role of Anxiety

“…The results follow similar lines as those from Kita and Inoue [13], who observed differences in self-concept based on inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptomatology. They found that severe inattentive symptomatology was associated with decreased self-concept in terms of school and athletic self-concept, both of which are related to school activities and classes.…”

“…Similarly, in our study, the presence of inattentive symptomatology is related to lower levels of academic self-concept in students aged between 11 and 16. However, in the study by Kita and Inoue [13], hyperactive-impulsive symptomatology was associated with the lowest self-perception in terms of behavioral conduct.…”

“…With respect to gender, Kita and Inoue [13] saw differences between boys and girls (boys scored higher in scholastic self-concept, athletic self-concept, and physical appearance). In our sample, gender had a significant effect on trait anxiety but not on academic, emotional, social or physical self-concept.…”

“…not consider the possible role of anxiety in this relationship but the authors pointed to differences in self-concept depending on the kind of symptomatology (inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity) [13]. In addition, Kita and Inoue [13] observed differences between boys and girls (boys scored higher with respect to scholastic self-concept, athletic self-concept, and physical appearance).…”

Prevalence estimates of neurodevelopmental disorders in Japan: A community sample questionnaire study

“…The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence rates of major neurodevelopmental disorders: ADHD, ASD, SLD, and DCD. The prevalence rate of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) was also estimated due to high comorbidity with ADHD and because both of them can strongly affect school adaption in children . As a community sample survey using questionnaires, both parents and teachers evaluated the same children, a method that provides two types of prevalence estimates depending on raters and the differences between raters.…”