Differential family and peer environmental factors are related to severity and comorbidity in children with ADHD.
Behavioral genetic studies imply that salient environmental influences operate within families, making siblings in a family different rather than similar. This study is the first one to examine differential sibling experiences (as measured with the Sibling Inventory of Differential Experience) and its effect on behavioral outcomes within ADHD families. Subjects were 45 Dutch ADHD probands and their unaffected siblings (n = 45) aged 10-18 years. ADHD probands and their unaffected siblings reported differences in sibling interaction, parental treatment, and peer characteristics. These nonshared environmental influences were related to both the severity of ADHD symptoms as well as to comorbid problem behaviors. These findings suggest that environmental influences that operate within ADHD families appear relevant to the severity of problem behaviors of ADHD children and their siblings.
Buschgens
C J M
CJ
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. c.buschgens@psy.umcn.nl
van Aken
M A G
MA
Swinkels
S H N
SH
Altink
M E
ME
Fliers
E A
EA
Rommelse
N N J
NN
Minderaa
R B
RB
Sergeant
J A
JA
Faraone
S V
SV
Buitelaar
J K
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010379:Peer Group; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012801:Sibling Relations; D012931:Social Environment