title: Big five dimensions and ADHD symptoms: links between personality traits and clinical symptoms.
abstract: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood is conceptualized as originating in childhood. Despite considerable theoretical interest, little is known about how ADHD symptoms relate to normal personality traits in adults. In 6 studies, the Big Five personality dimensions were related to ADHD symptoms that adults both recalled from childhood and reported concurrently (total N = 1,620). Substantial effects emerged that were replicated across samples. First, the ADHD symptom cluster of inattention-disorganization was substantially related to low Conscientiousness and, to a lesser extent, Neuroticism. Second, ADHD symptom clusters of hyperactivity-impulsivity and oppositional childhood and adult behaviors were associated with low Agreeableness. Results were replicated with self-reports and observer reports of personality in community and clinical samples. Findings support theoretical connections between personality traits and ADHD symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State U.
authors.forename: Joel T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Nigg
authors.affiliation: U California.
authors.forename: Oliver P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Michigan State U.
authors.forename: Lisa G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Blaskey
authors.affiliation: Michigan State U.
authors.forename: Cynthia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Huang-Pollock
authors.affiliation: U Colorado.
authors.forename: Erik G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Willcutt
authors.affiliation: U California.
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hinshaw
authors.affiliation: U Denver.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pennington
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010290:Parents; D010551:Personality; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014481:United States