Self-regulation of affect in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and non-ADHD boys: Differences in empathic responding

This study examined differences in empathy and other emotions between buys with and without attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Empathy w as measured by an empathy response task (ERT) and through self- and parent reports of emotion. On the ERT, children responded verbally to 8 fictitious stories. Results from the ERT revealed that boys with ADHD were less empat hic than boys without ADHD. Boys with ADHD less frequently matched the emot ion they identified in the character with the one identified in themselves and gave fewer character-centered interpretations in their descriptions of the character's emotion. Parent-report data revealed that boys with ADHD ex hibited more behavioral manifestations of sadness, anger, and guilt than di d boys without ADHD. No differences were found, however, on measures of emo tional intensity or emotional reactions to external contingencies. The resu lts are discussed with respect to current theories of ADHD.