Maternal characteristics and perceptions of pervasive and situational hyperactives and normal controls

Thirty 6- to 9-year-old boys were rated by their mothers and teachers as being pervasively hyperactive, situationally hyperactive, or not hyperactive at home or school. Maternal characteristics and perceptions of their children's behavior problems were collected. Children's global and molecular social skills were also assessed in a role-play format. Mothers of pervasive hyperactive boys reported significantly more overall stress in their relationship with their child and perceived their sons as displaying more behavioral problems compared to mothers of situational hyperactive and nonhyperactive children. Mothers of pervasive hyperactive boys also rated themselves as more depressed, less competent, more restricted, and frustrated compared to control mothers. Mothers of situational hyperactive children indicated that their sons displayed more behavior problems and reported more maternal stress compared to mothers of normal controls. Normal controls were rated as overall more socially skilled than situational hyperactive boys. The utility of the pervasive and situational hyperactivity distinction is discussed.