Moderating effects of maternal personality on the relations between child temperament and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine moderating effects of maternal personality on the relations between child temperament and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; symptom severity and global functioning) in an examination of a goodness-of-fit model. Independent effects of child temperament and maternal personality on ADHD symptom severity and functional impairment were also examined, with this study replicating and extending Rettew and colleagues study (2006). There is limited previous research into the relation between these factors.

Method: The temperament of 75 children (60 boys, 15 girls; mean age 8.57 years, SD = 1.73 years) with (n = 39) and without (n = 36) ADHD was assessed using parent ratings on the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI). Mothers’ personality was assessed using self-ratings on the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). ADHD symptom severity was assessed with the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-Fourth Edition (ADHD-RS-IV), and the Behaviour Assessment System for Children - Second Edition (BASC-2). Functional impairment was assessed using the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and the Children’s Problems Checklist (CPC).

Results: Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that interactions between child temperament and maternal personality predicted higher levels of symptoms and functional impairment, beyond independent effects of these dimensions. In particular, maternal Agreeableness moderated the relation between child Novelty Seeking and severity of hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive and total symptoms, and also functional impairment. Maternal Agreeableness also moderated the relation between child Harm Avoidance and inattention. Maternal Extraversion moderated the relation between child Reward Dependence and severity of hyperactive-impulsive and total symptoms, and functional impairment. Independent effects of higher child Novelty Seeking and lower child Persistence predicted greater severity of hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive, and total symptoms. Higher maternal Neuroticism predicted greater child hyperactive-impulsive and total symptom severity, while Maternal Agreeableness predicted level of child inattentive symptoms. Persistence and Neuroticism were also associated with children’s level of global functioning.

Conclusions: These findings provide support for the goodness-of-fit model and further understanding of the role of children’s temperament and mother’s personality in influencing severity of child ADHD symptoms and functional impairment. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.