Abstract
Competing hypotheses for explaining the role of anxiety in the relation between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
symptoms and childhood aggression were evaluated. Two studies tested whether anxiety exacerbated, attenuated, or had no effect
on the relation between ADHD and aggression subtypes among psychiatrically hospitalized children. In Study 1 (N = 99), children who scored above clinical cut-off levels for anxiety only, ADHD only, and co-occurring ADHD and anxiety were
compared on aggression subtypes (i.e., reactive, proactive, overt, and relational aggression). In Study 2, the moderating
role of anxiety on the relation between ADHD and aggression subtypes was examined with a larger sample (N = 265) and with continuous variables. No support was found for either the attenuation or exacerbation hypothesis, and results
remained consistent when separately examining hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention symptoms of ADHD. Although ADHD symptoms
were significantly associated with all aggression subtypes, this association did not remain when including symptoms of oppositional
defiant disorder.
symptoms and childhood aggression were evaluated. Two studies tested whether anxiety exacerbated, attenuated, or had no effect
on the relation between ADHD and aggression subtypes among psychiatrically hospitalized children. In Study 1 (N = 99), children who scored above clinical cut-off levels for anxiety only, ADHD only, and co-occurring ADHD and anxiety were
compared on aggression subtypes (i.e., reactive, proactive, overt, and relational aggression). In Study 2, the moderating
role of anxiety on the relation between ADHD and aggression subtypes was examined with a larger sample (N = 265) and with continuous variables. No support was found for either the attenuation or exacerbation hypothesis, and results
remained consistent when separately examining hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention symptoms of ADHD. Although ADHD symptoms
were significantly associated with all aggression subtypes, this association did not remain when including symptoms of oppositional
defiant disorder.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9590-7
- Authors
- Stephen P. Becker, Department of Psychology, Miami University, 90 North Patterson Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
- Aaron M. Luebbe, Department of Psychology, Miami University, 90 North Patterson Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
- Laura Stoppelbein, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Leilani Greening, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
- Paula J. Fite, Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627