title: Links between within-person fluctuations in hyperactivity/attention problems and subsequent conduct problems.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The onset of hyperactivity/impulsivity and attention problems (HAP) is typically younger than that of conduct problems (CP), and some research supports a directional relation wherein HAP precedes CP. Studies have tested this theory using between-person and between-group comparisons, with conflicting results. In contrast, prior research has not examined the effects of within-person fluctuations in HAP on CP.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study tested the hypothesis that within-person variation in HAP would positively predict subsequent within-person variation in CP, in two population samples of youth (N = 620) who participated in identical methods of assessment over the course of 30 months. Three-level, hierarchical models were used to test for within-person, longitudinal associations between HAP and CP, as well as moderating effects of between-person and between-family demographics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a small but significant association in the expected direction for older youth, but the opposite effect in younger and non-Caucasian youth. These results were replicated across both samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The process by which early HAP relates to later CP may vary by age and racial identity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Anne B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Arnett
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Pennington
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Jami F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hankin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: ADHD; conduct problems; disruptive behavior; longitudinal; within-person