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. 2016 Apr;57(4):502-9.
doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12466. Epub 2015 Sep 28.

Links between within-person fluctuations in hyperactivity/attention problems and subsequent conduct problems

Anne B Arnett  1 , Bruce F Pennington  1 , Jami F Young  2 , Benjamin L Hankin  1
Affiliations

Links between within-person fluctuations in hyperactivity/attention problems and subsequent conduct problems

Anne B Arnett et al. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2016 Apr.

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.

Method: 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.

Keywords: ADHD; conduct problems; disruptive behavior; longitudinal; within-person.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: No conflicts declared.

The authors declare that they have no competing or potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The effect of within-person variation in HAP on subsequent within-person variation in CP is more positive for older youth
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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