Daring-impulsive (DI) traits versus ADHD features in adolescent girls with conduct problems

The current study examined differential associations between daring-impulsive (DI) traits and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) features in relation to conduct disorder (CD) and clinically relevant characteristics in 115 criminal justice-involved and non-criminal justice-involved girls (ages 16-17 years). Adolescents provided self-ratings of DI traits, ADHD features, externalizing and internalizing concerns, impulsivity, and academic and social outcomes. A semi-structured diagnostic interview to assess CD symptoms was also used. We estimated associations using bivariate correlations to examine the dimensional overlap and convergent and discriminant validity of DI and ADHD total, inattention, and hyperactivity-impulsivity scores. We also examined the criterion-related validity of DI scores in distinguishing adolescents with and without CD using independent samples t-tests. Finally, we tested the incremental validity of DI scores in explaining outcomes over and above ADHD scores using multiple hierarchical regression analyses. Results indicated weak to moderate associations between DI and ADHD scores (r's = 0.22-0.26). Further, DI and ADHD scores differed in relation to indices of CD symptoms (e.g., total number of CD symptoms: r's = 0.19-0.31), externalizing (e.g., proactive aggression: r's = 0.13-0.38) and internalizing concerns (e.g., anxiety: r's = -0.06-0.41), impulsivity (e.g., sensation seeking: r's = -0.03-0.40), and academic and social outcomes (e.g., number of detained friends: r's = 0.13-0.27). DI scores significantly distinguished adolescents with CD (p < .01), but ADHD scores did not. Additionally, over and above ADHD scores, DI contributed incremental variance in explaining CD, externalizing concerns, distinct domains of impulsivity, and academic and social outcomes (ΔR² 0.04 to 0.18). These findings have important implications for understanding the usefulness of DI traits in better understanding the heterogeneity of CD among criminal and non-criminal justice-involved girls.