The behavioural profile of children with attention-deficit/  hyperactivity disorder and of their siblings.
The behavioural profiles in N = 69 index children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),N = 32 siblings with ADHD, N = 35 siblings without ADHD, and N = 36 normal controls were compared by the use of standardized parent and teacher rating scales. The four groups were matched by age and IQ. The behavioural profiles of the two ADHD groups were very similar not only in the behavioural domains of ADHD, but also in scales measuring emotional and conduct problems. Siblings without ADHD shared more similarities with normal controls except for more emotional problems. These general trends were stronger in the parent compared to the teacher ratings. These findings indicate that not only ADHD-related but also other behaviours show a strong family aggregation. The informant differences may reflect context dependent differences in child behaviour and contrast effects particularly in parental ratings.
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Neumuensterallee 9, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland. hc.steinhausen@kjpd.uzh.ch
Hans-Christoph
HC
Steinhausen
Nicole
N
Zülli-Weilenmann
Daniel
D
Brandeis
Ueli C
UC
Müller
Lilian
L
Valko
Renate
R
Drechsler
D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D057189:Checklist; D002648:Child; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D035781:Siblings; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires