Abstract
Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are highly comorbid, a phenomenon
thought to be due to shared etiological factors and mechanisms. Little work has attempted to chart multiple-level-of-analysis
pathways (i.e., simultaneously including biological, environmental, and trait influences) to ODD and ADHD, the goal of the
present investigation. 559 children/adolescents (325 boys) between the ages of 6 and 18 participated in a multi-stage, comprehensive
diagnostic procedure. 148 were classified as ODD; 309 were classified as ADHD, based on parent, teacher, and clinician ratings.
Children provided buccal or salivary samples of DNA, assayed for select markers in DRD4 and 5HTT. Parents completed the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire and the California Q-Sort. Children completed the Child Perception
of Interparental Conflict Scale. Correlational associations consistent with multiple-level-of-analysis pathways to ODD and
ADHD emerged. For ODD, children with the short allele of the 5HTT promoter polymorphism had higher neuroticism and ODD symptoms regardless of level of self-blame in relation to inter-parental
conflict, whereas children without this allele had more ODD symptoms only in the context of more self-blame for inter-parental
conflict. For ADHD (and ODD), children homozygous for the long allele of DRD4 120 bp insertion polymorphism had lower conscientiousness when exposed to inconsistent parenting, whereas children without
this genotype were more resilient to effects of inconsistent discipline on conscientiousness. Thus, ODD and ADHD appear to
demonstrate somewhat distinct correlational associations between etiological factors and mechanisms consistent with pathway
models using a multiple-level-of-analysis approach.
thought to be due to shared etiological factors and mechanisms. Little work has attempted to chart multiple-level-of-analysis
pathways (i.e., simultaneously including biological, environmental, and trait influences) to ODD and ADHD, the goal of the
present investigation. 559 children/adolescents (325 boys) between the ages of 6 and 18 participated in a multi-stage, comprehensive
diagnostic procedure. 148 were classified as ODD; 309 were classified as ADHD, based on parent, teacher, and clinician ratings.
Children provided buccal or salivary samples of DNA, assayed for select markers in DRD4 and 5HTT. Parents completed the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire and the California Q-Sort. Children completed the Child Perception
of Interparental Conflict Scale. Correlational associations consistent with multiple-level-of-analysis pathways to ODD and
ADHD emerged. For ODD, children with the short allele of the 5HTT promoter polymorphism had higher neuroticism and ODD symptoms regardless of level of self-blame in relation to inter-parental
conflict, whereas children without this allele had more ODD symptoms only in the context of more self-blame for inter-parental
conflict. For ADHD (and ODD), children homozygous for the long allele of DRD4 120 bp insertion polymorphism had lower conscientiousness when exposed to inconsistent parenting, whereas children without
this genotype were more resilient to effects of inconsistent discipline on conscientiousness. Thus, ODD and ADHD appear to
demonstrate somewhat distinct correlational associations between etiological factors and mechanisms consistent with pathway
models using a multiple-level-of-analysis approach.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-012-9646-3
- Authors
- Michelle M. Martel, Psychology Department, University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, 2005 Geology & Psychology Building, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA
- Molly Nikolas, Psychology Department, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Katherine Jernigan, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Karen Friderici, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Joel T. Nigg, Psychiatry Department, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627