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Symptom covariance accounts for behavioral approach associations across impulse control disorders

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ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders

Abstract

Behavioral approach system (BAS) dysfunction has been identified as a correlate of and a potential mechanism for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid disorders. This study examined the role of symptom covariation in the relations among BAS dysfunction, ADHD symptoms, and comorbid impulsive personality disorder features. Undergraduates (N = 207) completed measures of BAS functioning, ADHD symptoms, and borderline and antisocial personality disorder symptoms, and associated features (i.e., relational aggression). Hierarchical regression suggested that age, impulsive ADHD symptoms, and relational aggression were associated with BAS functioning. Adding other ADHD symptom dimensions (inattention, hyperactivity) and antisocial and borderline scores to the model did not increase variance accounted for beyond that accounted for by ADHD impulsivity scores. Results highlight a role of symptom covariance in the previously demonstrated relation between BAS, impulsive presentations of ADHD, and comorbid impulsive personality pathology. Implications for etiological models of ADHD and its co-occurrence with other disorders are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada

    Brianne A. Brooker, Dragana Ostojic & Carlin J. Miller

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  1. Brianne A. Brooker
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  2. Dragana Ostojic
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  3. Carlin J. Miller
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Correspondence to Carlin J. Miller.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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The research from which this manuscript was developed was approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University where the study was completed as meeting the required ethical standards for experimentation with human subjects under national and international law.

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This study is based on research following from the first author’s MA thesis.

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Brooker, B.A., Ostojic, D. & Miller, C.J. Symptom covariance accounts for behavioral approach associations across impulse control disorders. ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord 10, 199–208 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-017-0245-6

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