title: Deficient Emotional Self-Regulation in Preschoolers With ADHD: Identification, Comorbidity, and Interpersonal Functioning.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to develop an age-adjusted Child Behavior Checklist- (CBCL) and Teacher Report Form (TRF)-based method for the detection of deficient emotional self-regulation (DESR) in preschoolers with ADHD and to assess its incidence, comorbidities, and consequences on interpersonal functioning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six ADHD preschoolers and 104 controls were assessed using CBCL, TRF/1½ to 5, Psychiatric Interview With Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment, Leiter-R, and ADHD rating scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Greatest sensitivity and specificity were obtained applying slightly lower threshold scores compared with school-age children (CBCL: Anxiety/Depression [A/D] ≥ 59, Attention Problems [AP] ≥ 60, Aggression Behaviors [AB] ≥ 58; TRF: A/D ≥ 59, AP ≥ 60, AB ≥ 60). DESR was detected in 33/86 (38.4%) and in 16/54 (29.6%) ADHD preschoolers versus 2/104 (1.9%) controls using CBCL and TRF, respectively. DESR is associated with significantly greater comorbidity and impairment in interpersonal functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among ADHD preschoolers, DESR (a) requires lower CBCL and TRF threshold scores for detection, compared with school-age children, (b) displays similar incidence rates, and (c) is associated with enhanced psychiatric comorbidity and interpersonal difficulties.
authors.affiliation: 1 ASL Roma A, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Melegari
authors.affiliation: 2 University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.affiliation: 1 ASL Roma A, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manzi
authors.affiliation: 3 CRC Balbuzie, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vittori
authors.affiliation: 4 University of Messina, Messina, Italy.|5 Mafalda Luce Center for Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Persico
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D057189:Checklist / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D000080103:Emotional Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012917:Social Adjustment; D066107:Social Skills
keywords: ADHD; Child Behavior Checklist; emotional self-regulation; oppositional defiant disorder; preschool children