Family and Cognitive Factors: Modeling Risk for Aggression in Children With ADHD

• NCJ Number: 213524
• Journal: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2006 Pages: 355-363
• Author(s): Carlin J. Miller Ph.D.; Scott R. Miller Ph.D.; Joey Trampush B.S.; Kathleen E. McKay Ph.D.; Jefrey H. Newcorn M.D.; Jeffrey M. Halperin Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2006
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): RO1MH46448; RO1MH60698
• Sponsoring Agency: William T. Grant Foundation; National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the links between aggression and family and cognitive factors, as reported by parents and teachers.

Abstract

The principal finding was that family risk factors were associated with pervasive aggressive behavior in children. The aggression occurred in both home and school settings. A pattern of aggression in the family was strongly related to aggression in a child. Cognitive impairment was only partially supported as related to aggression in the school setting. The researchers conclude that intervention at the family level may reduce aggressive behaviors in children in both home and school settings. Data on different types of aggressive behavior were collected on 165 children (7-11 years old), who were referred to a study of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disruptive behavior. Participants were diagnosed for Axis I disorders with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, version 2.1 in combination with other measures. Overall, 152 children were diagnosed with ADHD. Descriptive statistics and correlations for all indicator variables were calculated with SPSS 10.0. Parents, most often mothers, were interviewed by trained graduate students about the family environment and family risk factors. The interaction variable combined the biological parent's history for aggressive behavior with whether the parent was living at home. The full Scale IQ score from the WISE-R or WISE-III was used as an indicator of general cognitive functioning/impairment. The reading and math subtests from Wide Range Achievement Test, Revised Edition or the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test were administered to each participant. The Children's Aggression Scale-Parent and Teacher Version, measured verbal aggression, aggression against objects and animals, provoked physical aggression, and unprovoked/initiated physical aggression. 3 tables, 2 figures, and 50 references