Abstract
Recent reviews argue that emotion dysregulation is an important feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
and involves a failure to inhibit negative emotions that leads to negative affectively-driven impulsive behavior (i.e., emotional
impulsivity). The goal of the current study was to assess (a) whether emotion dysregulation and emotional impulsivity was
higher in a group of adults diagnosed with ADHD and (b) if the relationship between core ADHD symptoms (i.e., inattention
and hyperactivity-impulsivity) and emotional impulsivity is mediated by emotion dysregulation symptoms. A group of adults
with (n = 18) and without (n = 23) ADHD completed measures of core ADHD symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and emotional impulsivity. A series of one-way
analyses of covariance indicated significant between-group differences in emotion dysregulation and emotional impulsivity
when current depression and oppositional defiant disorder ratings were covaried. In addition, the relationship between ADHD
symptoms and emotional impulsivity was mediated by emotion dysregulation symptoms. These findings suggest that emotion dysregulation
and emotional impulsivity are higher in adults diagnosed with ADHD and that emotion dysregulation symptoms have predictive
value beyond core ADHD symptoms.
and involves a failure to inhibit negative emotions that leads to negative affectively-driven impulsive behavior (i.e., emotional
impulsivity). The goal of the current study was to assess (a) whether emotion dysregulation and emotional impulsivity was
higher in a group of adults diagnosed with ADHD and (b) if the relationship between core ADHD symptoms (i.e., inattention
and hyperactivity-impulsivity) and emotional impulsivity is mediated by emotion dysregulation symptoms. A group of adults
with (n = 18) and without (n = 23) ADHD completed measures of core ADHD symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and emotional impulsivity. A series of one-way
analyses of covariance indicated significant between-group differences in emotion dysregulation and emotional impulsivity
when current depression and oppositional defiant disorder ratings were covaried. In addition, the relationship between ADHD
symptoms and emotional impulsivity was mediated by emotion dysregulation symptoms. These findings suggest that emotion dysregulation
and emotional impulsivity are higher in adults diagnosed with ADHD and that emotion dysregulation symptoms have predictive
value beyond core ADHD symptoms.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10862-012-9297-2
- Authors
- John T. Mitchell, Duke ADHD Program; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, 2608 Erwin Road; Pavilion East, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Christopher D. Robertson, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
- Arthur D. Anastopolous, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
- Rosemery O. Nelson-Gray, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
- Scott H. Kollins, Duke ADHD Program; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, 2608 Erwin Road; Pavilion East, Suite 300, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Journal Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
- Online ISSN 1573-3505
- Print ISSN 0882-2689