[Coping and quality of life among children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder]

First studies suggest an impaired emotion regulation especially with negative emotions among children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which particularly emerged in the subgroup with comorbid conduct disorder. Moreover, first results have shown that quality of life of children and adolescents with ADHD are negatively affected compared to healthy controls. The present study examined differences in age and subgroup on coping and quality of life among boys with ADHD. Furthermore, coping and quality of life were compared to healthy norms. In total, N=48 boys with ADHD with and without conduct disorder (ages 8 to 12 years) were asked to complete self-report questionnaires on coping and quality of life. Fifth and sixth graders with ADHD reported less distraction than third and fourth graders. The subgroup with ADHD and conduct disorder showed more passive avoidance and resignation compared to the subgroup with ADHD alone. Compared to normative data, especially third and fourth graders with ADHD showed an increased maladaptive coping. Additionally, the subgroup with conduct disorder scored higher on all maladaptive coping strategies than the normative sample. Finally, all domains of quality of life were impaired among children and adolescents with ADHD compared to normative data. These findings support the consideration of emotion regulation and quality of life in the research of ADHD in childhood and adolescence to develop effective programs for prevention and intervention.