ADHD symptoms across adolescence: the role of the family and school climate and the DRD4 and 5 - HTTLPR genotype

We examined bidirectional relations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and family and school climate, and the possible role ofDRD4 and/or5-HTTLPR genotypes herein. Three-wave longitudinal data of 1860 adolescents (mean ages 11, 13.5, and 16  years) from the general population and clinic-referred cohort of TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey were used. Using a multigroup Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model, we tested between-person (i.e., stable trait levels) and within-person (i.e., causal processes) associations acr oss ADHD symptoms, family and school climate, and the extent to which these depended on genotype. Findings indicated no influence of genotype. Results did show significant between-person differences (ADHD symptoms with family climater = .38; and school climater = .23,p values<  .001), indicating that higher stable levels of ADHD symptoms were associated with a less favorable family and school climate. Regarding within-person causal processes, ADHD symptoms predicted a less favorable family climate in early adolescence (β =  .16,p  <  .01), while ADHD symptoms predicted a more favorable family climate in the later phase of adolescence (β = − .11,p <  .01), a finding which we explain by normative developmental changes during adolescence. Overall, this study showed that negative associations between ADHD symptoms and both family and school climate are largely explained by stabl...
Source: European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research