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Hot and Cool Executive Functions in Children with ADHD and Comorbid Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Antonini, Tanya
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406821379

Abstract Details

2014, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Psychology.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in childhood. Although research suggests strong associations between the disorder and deficits in hot and cool executive functions (EFs) at a group level, deficits among individual children with ADHD are not universal. One potential moderator of executive dysfunction may be the presence of a comorbid disruptive behavior disorder (DBD; oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder). This study examined the association between EFs and comorbid DBDs in children with ADHD. It was hypothesized that all participants with ADHD would perform more poorly on cool EF tasks than controls, but that only those with a comorbid DBD would perform more poorly on hot EF tasks. One-hundred, thirty-one children (7-12 years old) participated in the study: 67 with ADHD - DBD, 34 with ADHD+DBD, and 30 controls. Cool EF scores included correct trials on a spatial span task and correct responses and perseverative errors on a card sorting test. Hot EF scores included discounting gradients from a delay discounting task and net scores on a gambling task. Primary analyses examined group differences in these variables. Several secondary analyses were also conducted. First, the effects of intellectual functioning and academic achievement scores on group differences were examined. In addition, ADHD subtype was examined as a moderator of group differences in cool and hot EF performance. Lastly, the continuous relationship between oppositional defiant symptoms, ADHD symptoms, and executive performance was explored. Results indicated that the ADHD - DBD and ADHD+ DBD groups performed more poorly on cool EF tasks than controls, but did not differ from each other. There was no significant Group effect for either hot EF score. Secondary analyses indicated that many differences in cool EFs were not significant after controlling for intellectual functioning or academic achievement. In addition, ADHD subtype did not moderate the relationship between EF performance and the presence of a comorbid DBD. Finally, analyses examining the relationship between symptoms and EF scores indicated that cool EF scores were significantly associated with the number of ADHD symptoms, but not oppositional defiant disorder symptoms. Hot EF scores, however, were not significantly associated with either ADHD or oppositional defiant disorder symptoms. In conclusion, consistent with prior research, ADHD was associated with cool EF deficits. In contrast with other studies, however, comorbid DBDs were not associated with decrements in hot EFs. Given the non-significant group differences in hot EF performance between the ADHD+DBD and ADHD - DBD groups, results do not support the notion that comorbid DBDs account for heterogeneity in EFs across children with ADHD. Factors related to the design of this study may have contributed to the lack of group differences in hot EFs. Perhaps the sample was too young to understand the hot EF tasks. Alternatively, task stimuli may not have had the motivational salience needed to capture deficits in hot EFs. Future research should include additional EF tasks, as well was imaging, to better understand differences in brain structures/function that may contribute to EF deficits in children with ADHD, with and without comorbid conditions.
Jeffery Epstein, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Chung-Yiu Chiu, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Paula Shear, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
66 p.
Psychology
ADHD; executive functions; oppositional defiant disorder; comorbidity; conduct disorder; disruptive behavior disorders

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Antonini, T. (2014). Hot and Cool Executive Functions in Children with ADHD and Comorbid Disruptive Behavior Disorders [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406821379

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Antonini, Tanya. Hot and Cool Executive Functions in Children with ADHD and Comorbid Disruptive Behavior Disorders. 2014. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406821379.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Antonini, Tanya. "Hot and Cool Executive Functions in Children with ADHD and Comorbid Disruptive Behavior Disorders." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1406821379

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1406821379
435
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.