Self-Regulation of Emotion, Functional Impairment, and Comorbidity Among ChildrenWith AD/HD.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the role of self-regulation of emotion in relation to functional impairment and comorbidity among children with and without AD/HD.


METHODS
A total of 358 probands and their siblings participated in the study, with 74% of the sample participants affected by AD/HD. Parent-rated levels of emotional lability served as a marker for self-regulation of emotion.


RESULTS
Nearly half of the children affected by AD/HD displayed significantly elevated levels of emotional lability versus 15% of those without this disorder. Children with AD/HD also displayed significantly higher rates of functional impairment, comorbidity, and treatment service utilization. Emotional lability partially mediated the association between AD/HD status and these outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings lent support to the notion that deficits in the self-regulation of emotion are evident in a substantial number of children with AD/HD and that these deficits play an important role in determining functional impairment and comorbidity outcomes.
Anastopoulos
Arthur D
AD
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA. ada@uncg.edu
Smith
Taylor F
TF
Garrett
Melanie E
ME
Morrissey-Kane
Erin
E
Schatz
Nicole K
NK
Sommer
Jennifer L
JL
Kollins
Scott H
SH
Ashley-Koch
Allison
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D035781:Siblings; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012927:Social Control, Informal