Big five dimensions and ADHD symptoms: links between personality traits and clinical symptoms.
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.
Nigg
Joel T
JT
Michigan State U.
John
Oliver P
OP
U California.
Blaskey
Lisa G
LG
Michigan State U.
Huang-Pollock
Cynthia L
CL
Michigan State U.
Willcutt
Erik G
EG
U Colorado.
Hinshaw
Stephen P
SP
U California.
Pennington
Bruce
B
U Denver.
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