Study Overview
A recent study conducted in Serbia examined the relationship between personality traits and the severity of ADHD symptoms in children aged 10 to 15. The findings indicated that children exhibiting elevated levels of Aggressiveness, Neuroticism, and Negative Valence were more likely to experience severe ADHD symptoms. In contrast, those displaying greater Conscientiousness showed fewer symptoms. This research was published in the Journal of Individual Differences.
Understanding ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by ongoing patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that disrupt daily activities. The condition typically begins during childhood but often persists into adolescence and adulthood.
While the precise causes of ADHD remain unclear, studies suggest a strong genetic influence, with heritability estimates ranging from 70% to 80%. Environmental factors, including prenatal exposure to alcohol, nicotine, or stress, can heighten the risk of developing ADHD. Early childhood risks such as low birth weight or lead exposure may also play a role. Untreated ADHD can result in academic struggles, relationship challenges, and emotional issues. Nevertheless, many individuals develop effective strategies for managing their symptoms with proper support.
Research Methodology
The authors of the study, led by Tatjana Krstić, aimed to explore how personality traits correlate with the severity of ADHD symptoms among middle school children. They specifically investigated whether these traits are associated with distinct ADHD symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
The study included 402 parents of children aged 10 to 15, with an average child age of 13 years. Approximately 51% of the participants were boys, and the parents’ ages ranged from 29 to 63, averaging 43 years. Children were recruited from six schools in both urban and rural locations across Serbia.
Parents assessed their children’s ADHD symptom severity and personality traits. The severity of ADHD symptoms was evaluated using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale – version IV (SNAP-IV), which features items like “Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.” For personality assessment, researchers employed the parent version of the Big Five Plus Two for children.
Personality Traits Assessed
The personality assessment focused on five commonly studied traits:
- Neuroticism (e.g., “Often has the jitters”)
- Extraversion (e.g., “Has many friends”)
- Aggressiveness (e.g., “Often yells at others when provoked”)
- Conscientiousness (e.g., “Always fulfills his/her obligations”)
- Openness (e.g., “Likes new and interesting things”)
Additionally, the assessment included two supplementary traits:
- Positive Valence (e.g., “Has a big influence in a peer group”)
- Negative Valence (e.g., “Thinks that he/she is no good”)
Key Findings
The results revealed that children with more severe ADHD symptoms exhibited higher levels of Aggressiveness, Neuroticism, and Negative Valence. They scored lower in Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Openness. Notably, the severity of ADHD symptoms showed no correlation with Positive Valence. Upon further investigation, the association between ADHD severity and Extraversion was no longer significant.
“Our findings supported the conclusion that personality traits in children are predictors of ADHD symptoms,” the study authors concluded.
Conclusion and Research Limitations
This study enhances the understanding of the interplay between personality and ADHD symptoms. However, it is important to acknowledge that the data were exclusively gathered from parents, potentially introducing reporting bias and common method bias that could influence the outcomes.
The research paper, named “The Relationship Between Personality Traits and ADHD Symptoms in 10- to 15-Year-Old Children: Parent Ratings,” was authored by Tatjana Krstić, Ilija Milovanović, Aleksandra Stojadinović, Vojislava Bugarski Ignjatović, and Željka Nikolašević.
