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Developmental change in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in boys: A four-year longitudinal study

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Abstract

One hundred six clinic-referred boys meeting criteria for DSM-III-R attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (mean age 9.4 years) were assessed annually for 4 years using structured interviews of multiple informants. Hyperactivity—impulsivity symptoms declined with increasing age, but inattention symptoms did not. Rather, inattention declined only from the first to the second assessment and remained stable thereafter in boys of all ages. The rate of decline in hyperactivity—impulsivity symptoms was independent of the amount and type of treatment received. Boys who still met criteria for ADHD in Years 3 and 4 were significantly younger, more hyperactive—impulsive, and more likely to exhibit conduct disorder in Year 1 than boys who no longer met criteria in Years 3 and 4.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Road, P.O. Box 207900, 06520-7900, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Elizabeth L. Hart

  2. University of Chicago School of Medicine, 60637, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Benjamin B. Lahey

  3. University of Pittsburgh, 15213, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Rolf Loeber

  4. University of Miami, 35487-0348, Coral Gables, Florida, USA

    Brooks Applegate

  5. University of Alabama, 33146, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA

    Paul J. Frick

Authors
  1. Elizabeth L. Hart
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  2. Benjamin B. Lahey
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  3. Rolf Loeber
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  4. Brooks Applegate
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  5. Paul J. Frick
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Additional information

This study was supported by grant 1-R01-MH42529 from the National Insitute of Mental Health to Rolf Loeber and Benjamin B. Lahey.

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Hart, E.L., Lahey, B.B., Loeber, R. et al. Developmental change in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in boys: A four-year longitudinal study. J Abnorm Child Psychol 23, 729–749 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01447474

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01447474

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