Family environment in attention deficit hyperactivity, oppositional defiant and conduct disorders

Objective: This study aims to ascertain whether there were differences in f amily environment among patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disor der (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. Method: The records of 233 patients, selected for high or low scores on a s cale that taps ADHD symptoms, were reviewed by three clinicians who made DS M-IV diagnoses and rated the family environment with the Global Family Envi ronment Scale (GFES). Self-report data obtained from the parent and child v ersions of the Child Behaviour Checklist were also used. The quality of the family environment was then compared between the various diagnostic groups . Results: A poorer family environment was associated with conduct disorder a nd oppositional defiant disorder and predicted a worse outcome (e.g. admiss ion to a non-psychiatric institution, drug and alcohol abuse). Quality of t he family environment did not vary according to ADHD diagnosis or gender. Conclusions: There seems to be no association between the quality of the fa mily environment and a diagnosis of ADHD among referred adolescents. Howeve r, there is an association with conduct disorder. Interventions that improv e family environment in the early years of life may prevent the development of conduct problems.