Individual differences, ADHD, adult pathological demand avoidance, and delinquency.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a developmental disorder associated with challenging behaviors and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Features of PDA overlap with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and impulsivity, which are also common in individuals with a history of offending.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if self-reported Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), impulsivity, and personality traits predict Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) scores.
• To determine which of these constructs predict delinquency.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 132 adult participants (126 with complete data) was conducted.
• Self-reported measures of ASD, ADHD, impulsivity, personality traits (low conscientiousness, low emotional stability), PDA, and delinquency were collected.

Main Results:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was a significant correlate of PDA (r = 0.71).
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) showed a small correlation with PDA and did not predict it.
• A combination of higher attention deficit, antagonism, and lower emotional stability predicted 65% of an individual's PDA score.
• PDA scores did not predict delinquency.

Conclusions:

• In adult populations, ADHD, emotional instability, and antagonism are stronger predictors of self-reported PDA than ASD.
• The association between PDA and delinquency may be explained by shared underlying constructs like ADHD and antagonism, which are also linked to offending.