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Temperament and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: the development of a multiple pathway model
Joel T Nigg1, H Hill Goldsmith, Jennifer Sachek
1Psychology Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1117, USA. nigg@msu.edu
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is linked to temperament, particularly effortful control and regulation issues. Research suggests multiple pathways to ADHD, involving positive or negative approach tendencies, warranting further study.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Understanding the etiological heterogeneity of ADHD is crucial for effective intervention.
- Temperament traits are increasingly recognized as potential contributing factors to ADHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between major ADHD theories and temperament domains.
- To summarize recent research on child temperament and adult personality traits in ADHD.
- To propose a developmental model for alternate pathways to ADHD.
Main Methods:
- Review of major theories of ADHD.
- Summarization of laboratory research on child temperament and adult personality traits.
- Analysis of the role of effortful control, regulation, and approach tendencies in ADHD.
Main Results:
- Convergent data suggest effortful control and regulation are central to ADHD symptoms.
- Negative approach and anger correlate with ADHD, potentially due to overlap with antisocial behavior.
- Positive approach may represent an alternate pathway to ADHD, alongside executive functioning deficits.
Conclusions:
- Effortful control problems are likely present in most children with ADHD.
- Subgroups of ADHD may be characterized by positive or negative approach problems.
- A multiple process developmental model is proposed to explain ADHD heterogeneity.