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Mother and Adolescent Reports of Interparental Discord Among Parents of Adolescents With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

State University of New York at Buffalo

William E. Pelham, Jr

State University of New York at Buffalo

Brooke S. G. Molina

University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Elizabeth M. Gnagy

State University of New York at Buffalo

Evidence is scarce regarding the prevalence of interparental discord in families of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using data collected from adolescents with childhood ADHD and comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD; n = 46) or conduct disorder (CD; n = 23), with childhood ADHD only (n = 26), and without ADHD (n = 88) and their mothers, maternal and adolescent reports of interparental discord were compared. Adolescents with ADHD + CD reported witnessing more frequent and unresolved interparental conflict than adolescents without ADHD and with ADHD only. Adolescents with ADHD + CD also indicated more frequent conflict than adolescents with ADHD + ODD. However, differences in conflict resolution were nonsignificant when household income was covaried, and maternal ratings of interparental discord did not differ across groups. Findings highlight the potential utility of adolescents with ADHD as informants of interparental relationship quality.

Key Words: ADHD • attention deficit • families or parent(s) of children or youth with EBD ODD • CD • interparental conflict

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Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Vol. 16, No. 1, 29-41 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1063426607310849


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Wymbs, B. T. Articles by Gnagy, E. M. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?