Abstract
We used the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART) to examine risk taking and sensitivity to punishment, two relevant aspects of
behavioral inhibition, in 203 school-age children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant
disorder (ODD), ADHD+ODD, and controls. Participants earned points on the BART by pumping 30 separate balloons that exploded
at variable intervals. No points were earned on a trial when a balloon exploded. The number of pumps across all balloons estimated
risk taking and the reduction in pumps following balloon explosions was interpreted as an indicator of sensitivity to negative
punishment. We found that all groups significantly differed from one another on risk taking. The ADHD+ODD group pumped the
most, followed by the ODD, ADHD, and the control group, respectively. For sensitivity to negative punishment, all groups performed
differently, with the ODD group showing the least sensitivity to an exploded balloon, followed by the ADHD, control, and ADHD+ODD
groups, respectively. Children with ADHD+ODD demonstrated significantly different patterns of risk taking and sensitivity
to negative punishment than children with either ADHD-only or ODD-only. ADHD youth with comorbid ODD had the greatest levels
of risk taking, but they were also the most sensitive to negative punishment. The relationship between ADHD and ODD, as well
as the nature of comorbidity in constructs related to risk taking and related behaviors, are discussed.
behavioral inhibition, in 203 school-age children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant
disorder (ODD), ADHD+ODD, and controls. Participants earned points on the BART by pumping 30 separate balloons that exploded
at variable intervals. No points were earned on a trial when a balloon exploded. The number of pumps across all balloons estimated
risk taking and the reduction in pumps following balloon explosions was interpreted as an indicator of sensitivity to negative
punishment. We found that all groups significantly differed from one another on risk taking. The ADHD+ODD group pumped the
most, followed by the ODD, ADHD, and the control group, respectively. For sensitivity to negative punishment, all groups performed
differently, with the ODD group showing the least sensitivity to an exploded balloon, followed by the ADHD, control, and ADHD+ODD
groups, respectively. Children with ADHD+ODD demonstrated significantly different patterns of risk taking and sensitivity
to negative punishment than children with either ADHD-only or ODD-only. ADHD youth with comorbid ODD had the greatest levels
of risk taking, but they were also the most sensitive to negative punishment. The relationship between ADHD and ODD, as well
as the nature of comorbidity in constructs related to risk taking and related behaviors, are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10862-011-9237-6
- Authors
- Kathryn L. Humphreys, Department of Psychology, University of California, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095–1563, USA
- Steve S. Lee, Department of Psychology, University of California, 1285 Franz Hall, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095–1563, USA
- Journal Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
- Online ISSN 1573-3505
- Print ISSN 0882-2689