Temperament and Character Profiles Associated with Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to identify temperament and character profiles associated with internalizing and externalizing problems in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods Children with ADHD (n=114, 8.51±1.87 years) were selected from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Jeju National University Hospital. They were diagnosed by Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version and evaluated using the Advanced Test of Attention and Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition. Their parents completed the ADHD Rating Scale, Korean-Child Behavioral Checklist, and Junior Temperament and Character Inventory. Results The participants with both internalizing and externalizing problem had more severe ADHD symptoms and significantly higher novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and self-transcendence, as well as lower self-directedness and cooperativeness than those who had not comorbid problems. Harm avoidance was correlated with their level of internalizing problems regardless of severity of ADHD symptoms. In addition, novelty seeking and sex (male) were being associated with the level of externalizing problems. Conclusion Differences were observed in the temperament and character profiles of children with ADHD according to their comorbid psychopathology. Results suggested that temperament and character profiles may affect the comorbid psychopathology in children with ADHD regardless of ADHD symptom severity.

The Associations Between Sleep and Externalizing and Internalizing Problems in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…Hence, the characteristics of ADHD may increase both the risk for and the vulnerability to insufficient sleep. There are documented associations between various domains of sleep and both internalizing/externalizing symptoms and the negative impacts of these symptoms on youth with ADHD [45][46][47][48] . However, we know little about the nature of the associations between sleep and these symptoms in youth with ADHD.…”

Predicting the Adult Clinical and Academic Outcomes in Boys With ADHD: A 7- to 10-Year Follow-Up Study in China

“…Thus, the family environment may be relevant for the course of various mental and psychological diseases and ultimately clinical outcomes, including major depressive disorder ( 32 ), trichotillomania, obsessive–compulsive disorder ( 33 ), and ADHD ( 23 ). Character profiles are correlated with individual differences in goals and values, which are based on learning and the perceptions of self and others ( 34 ). The character traits of parents, as an important family environment factor, exhibit a remarkable influence on children's emotional and behavioral development ( 35 ).…”

“…The character traits of parents, as an important family environment factor, exhibit a remarkable influence on children's emotional and behavioral development ( 35 ). Most previous studies have demonstrated the temperament and character profiles associated with ADHD and could be used to distinguish ADHD from comorbid disease ( 34 , 36 , 37 ). However, the relationship between the character traits of parents in children with ADHD and clinical or academic outcomes into adulthood remains relatively understudied.…”

Efficacia di Buprenorfina/Naloxone nel trattamento delle tossicodipendenze: monitoraggio dei pazienti in terapia presso il Ser.T. di Marsala, ASL n. 9 (Trapani)

“…In questi casi il paziente è spesso a conoscenza delle regole di comportamento adeguate pur non riuscendo a metterle in pratica. Frequente è la manifestazione di ulteriori deficit di esternalizzazione che rende ancora più difficile l'approccio terapeutico (38).…”