Temperament and character dimensions associated with clinical characteristics and treatment outcome in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder boys.
BACKGROUND
Although differential patterns of temperament and character have been documented in subjects with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), few studies have investigated relations between these dimensions, clinical features of ADHD, and treatment outcome.


METHODS
Ninety-five boys with ADHD and 87 controls participated in the study; 88.5% of the referred patients were reassessed after optimal titration of methylphendiate treatment.


RESULTS
Compared with controls, boys with ADHD showed a temperament profile of high novelty seeking, low reward dependence, and persistence, as well as low scores on both self-determination and cooperativeness character dimensions. No significant differences were found between subjects with ADHD and controls in harm avoidance. Temperament and character traits were related to specific symptom domains and comorbidity but did not predict global severity of ADHD. Persistent and immature children with ADHD were more likely to experience short-term remission.
Purper-Ouakil
Diane
D
AP-HP, Robert Debré Hospital, 75019 Paris, France. diane.uakil-purper@orange.fr
Cortese
Samuele
S
Wohl
Mathias
M
Aubron
Valérie
V
Orejarena
Silvia
S
Michel
Gregory
G
Asch
Muriel
M
Mouren
Marie-Christine
MC
Gorwood
Philip
P
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002605:Character; D002648:Child; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009042:Motivation; D010297:Paris; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012201:Reward; D013694:Temperament; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate