Inattention and hyperactivity dimensions of ADHD are associated with different personality profiles.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have suggested that individuals with ADHD have high scores in novelty seeking and harm avoidance. However, it is not known whether personality is associated with specific subtypes and dimensions of the disorder. The aim of this study is to test for associations between scores in the temperament and character inventory of C.R. Cloninger with adult ADHD subtypes and severity.


METHODS
The diagnostic interviews of 296 adult ADHD patients followed the DSM-IV criteria. ADHD dimensions were evaluated with the SNAP-IV scores, and personality dimensions were assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory.


RESULTS
The combined subtype (n=168) was associated with higher scores in novelty seeking (p<0.001) and lower scores in cooperativeness (p=0.006) than the inattentive subtype (n=128). Higher inattention scores were associated with decreased self-directedness (p<0.001) and increased harm avoidance (p=0.02), whereas higher hyperactivity/impulsivity scores correlated positively with novelty seeking (p<0.001) and persistence (p=0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that personality dimensions are strongly correlated with ADHD subtypes and severity dimensions, pointing to the need for studies evaluating the mechanisms behind this association.
Salgado
Carlos A I
CA
Adult ADHD Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Bau
Claiton H D
CH
Grevet
Eugenio H
EH
Fischer
Aline G
AG
Victor
Marcelo M
MM
Kalil
Katiane L S
KL
Sousa
Nyvia O
NO
Garcia
Christiane R
CR
Belmonte-de-Abreu
Paulo
P
D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002605:Character; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013694:Temperament