Poster #62 - ADHD and Parent-Child Relationship Difficulties at the Transition to High School Predict Depressive Symptoms

• In Event: 1-005 - Poster Session 01
  In Poster Session: PS 01 Section - Developmental Psychopathology

Integrative Statement

Adolescents with ADHD are at greater risk for depression compared to their peers without ADHD. Further, the transition from middle school through high school may be a particularly vulnerable period for youth with ADHD. The elevated rates of ADHD and depression symptoms have been explained, in part, by negative interpersonal relationships with parents and peers. The current study sought to determine the extent to which changes in negative relationship quality with parents and best friends, separately, mediate the relationship between ADHD and depressive symptoms. Additionally, we sought to investigate potential gender differences in these mediation models. The sample comprised 368 ethnically diverse adolescents who had a mutually identified best friend. Data were collected at 8th grade, 9th grade, and 12th grade. Structural equation modeling indicated that boys with higher levels of ADHD symptoms at 8th grade reported steeper increases in maternal negative relationship quality from 8th grade to 12th grade. Further, the trajectory of maternal negative relationship quality mediated the relation between ADHD symptoms in 8th grade and depressive symptoms in 12th grade, in boys relative to girls. Additionally, ADHD symptoms in 8th grade were associated with steeper increases in negative friendship quality across high school for boys relative to girls, but unlike maternal negative relationship quality, the trajectory of negative relationship quality with their best friend did not mediate the relationship between ADHD and depressive symptoms. Results suggest that maternal negative relationship quality is a specific mechanism that can help explain the development of depressive symptoms amongst boys with elevated ADHD symptoms.

Authors

• Michael Meinzer, University of Maryland
  Presenting Author

• Julia Felton, Michigan State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lauren Oddo, University of Maryland
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kenneth H. Rubin, Department of Human Development & Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland
  Non-Presenting Author

• Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, University of Maryland, College Park
  Non-Presenting Author