Which Kindergarteners Are at Greatest Risk for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity and Conduct Disorder Symptomatology as Adolescents?

• In Event: 61.087 - Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: 61.087-8 - Division E: Human Development Session 3

Abstract

We identified which U.S. children are at risk of symptomatology in both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) as adolescents. Regression analyses of multi-informant ratings of a population-based, longitudinal sample of kindergarten children (N = 7,456) identified those displaying comorbid ADHD-CD symptomatology by 8th grade. Children frequently engaging in ADHD-CD-type behaviors by the end of kindergarten were more likely to later experience ADHD-CD symptomatology. Low academic achievement uniquely increased this risk. School-based mental health efforts to identify and reduce ADHD-CD symptomatology may require screening, monitoring, and targeting children manifesting both low behavioral and low academic functioning by the end of kindergarten as together they increase odds of severe ADHD-CD symptomatology by adolescence by a multiplicative factor of 8.1.

Authors

• Paul L. Morgan, The Pennsylvania State University

• Hui Li, The Pennsylvania State University

• Michael Cook, The Pennsylvania State University

• George Farkas, University of California - Irvine

• Marianne Hillemeier, The Pennsylvania State University

• Yu-Chu Lin, The Pennsylvania State University