Cognitive functioning and family risk factors in relation to symptom behaviors of ADHD and ODD in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the authors investigated whether ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) behaviors share associations with problems in cognitive functioning and/or family risk factors in adolescence. This was done by examining independent as well as specific associations of cognitive functioning and family risk factors with ADHD and ODD behaviors.


METHODS
A sample of 120 adolescents from the general population was assessed on various cognitive tasks. ADHD and ODD behaviors were measured through parental and teacher ratings based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) criteria. Parents and adolescents provided information regarding measures of family risk factors.


RESULTS
The results show that only cognitive functioning was associated with ADHD behaviors, and family risk factors were, independent of cognitive functioning, associated with ODD behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that cognitive performance bears a specific significance for ADHD behaviors, whereas family risk factors have specific importance for ODD behaviors.
Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. linda.forssman@psyk.uu.se
Linda
L
Forssman
Lilianne
L
Eninger
Carin M
CM
Tillman
Alina
A
Rodriguez
Gunilla
G
Bohlin
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index