Self-Regulation of Emotion, Functional Impairment, and Comorbidity Among ChildrenWith AD/HD

Overview

Journal J Atten Disord

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2010 Aug 6

PMID 20686097

Citations 76

Authors

Arthur D Anastopoulos

Taylor F Smith

Melanie E Garrett

Erin Morrissey-Kane

Nicole K Schatz

Jennifer L Sommer

Scott H Kollins

Allison Ashley-Koch

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the role of self-regulation of emotion in relation to functional impairment and comorbidity among children with and without AD/HD.

Method: A total of 358 probands and their siblings participated in the study, with 74% of the sample participants affected by AD/HD. Parent-rated levels of emotional lability served as a marker for self-regulation of emotion.

Results: Nearly half of the children affected by AD/HD displayed significantly elevated levels of emotional lability versus 15% of those without this disorder. Children with AD/HD also displayed significantly higher rates of functional impairment, comorbidity, and treatment service utilization. Emotional lability partially mediated the association between AD/HD status and these outcomes.

Conclusion: Findings lent support to the notion that deficits in the self-regulation of emotion are evident in a substantial number of children with AD/HD and that these deficits play an important role in determining functional impairment and comorbidity outcomes.

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