IMPACT OF COMORBID OPPOSITIONAL OR CONDUCT PROBLEMS ON ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Objective: To investigate whether the presence of comorbid oppositiona l defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD) alters the correlate s of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: Three gr oups of children (33 ''pure'' ADHD, 46 ADHD+ODD, and 12 ADHD+CD) were compared on measures of ADHD, aggression, anxiety, parental psychopath ology, self-esteem, school, and social-emotional functioning. Results: Findings indicated that the presence of comorbid oppositional or cond uct problems in children with ADHD altered the correlates of ADHD acro ss a number of areas, including greater ADHD symptom severity and soci al dysfunction. Nevertheless, some correlates were more closely linked with the comorbid condition of ADHD+CD (e.g., higher aggression, anxi ety, and maternal pathology, as well as decreased self-esteem), while others appeared more closely linked with ADHD+ODD (e.g., social withdr awal, elevated academic achievement paired with higher perceived schol astic competence). Conclusions: Findings support the distinctive profi les of the disruptive behavior disorder groups and emphasize the delet erious effects on the quality of life experienced by the comorbid cond itions. The need for syndrome-specific interventions is stressed.