Abstract
A significant literature suggests that youth diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at increased
risk for later depression relative to youth without ADHD. Youth with co-occurring ADHD and depression experience more serious
impairments and worse developmental outcomes than those with either disorder alone, including increased rates of suicidal
ideation and suicide completion. Despite these very serious outcomes, few studies have examined the mechanisms underlying
the relationship between ADHD and depression in youth. The present study examined emotion regulation (ER) as a mediator of
the relationship between ADHD and depressive symptoms in 69 youth between the ages of 10 and 14, with (n = 37) and without (n = 32) ADHD. Parent and youth ratings of depressive symptoms and ER were collected. Youth with ADHD reported significantly
more depressive symptoms and poorer ER ability relative to youth without ADHD. ER fully mediated the relationship between
ADHD and depressive symptoms. Limitations and clinical implications are discussed.
risk for later depression relative to youth without ADHD. Youth with co-occurring ADHD and depression experience more serious
impairments and worse developmental outcomes than those with either disorder alone, including increased rates of suicidal
ideation and suicide completion. Despite these very serious outcomes, few studies have examined the mechanisms underlying
the relationship between ADHD and depression in youth. The present study examined emotion regulation (ER) as a mediator of
the relationship between ADHD and depressive symptoms in 69 youth between the ages of 10 and 14, with (n = 37) and without (n = 32) ADHD. Parent and youth ratings of depressive symptoms and ER were collected. Youth with ADHD reported significantly
more depressive symptoms and poorer ER ability relative to youth without ADHD. ER fully mediated the relationship between
ADHD and depressive symptoms. Limitations and clinical implications are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9593-4
- Authors
- Karen E. Seymour, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Thorhildur Halldorsdottir, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Brandi Stupica, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Kristian Owens, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Talia Sacks, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627