Social impairment in girls with ADHD: Patterns, gender comparisons, and correlates

Objective: To investigate social impairment in girls with attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), compare the social functioning of boys and girls with ADHD, and explore the association between social dysfunction and conditions comorbid with ADHD. Method: Four groups of index children were studied: 267 children (127 girls) with ADHD and 234 non-ADHD comparison chi ldren (114 girls). Groups were compared on social functioning. psychopathol ogy, and demographic characteristics. Results: Girls with ADHD manifested s ignificant deficits in interpersonal functioning compared with girls withou t ADHD and evidenced a similar degree of social impairment compared with bo ys with ADHD. ADHD and associated comorbid disorders were significant corre lates of specific domains of social dysfunction in boys and girls with ADHD . Conclusions: Interpersonal deficits are a major correlate of ADHD, irresp ective of gender, and appear to stem from the behaviors associated with ADH D as well as behaviors characteristic of conditions comorbid with ADHD.