Behavior Regulation And Attention Problems In Children Between 11 And 18 Years Of Age

Abstract

Background: Our study aimed to confirm that children who have a higher level of ADHD have higher scores in behavior regulation issues compared to the control group without ADHD.

Methods: This study involved school-based research. There were 1,260 participants, ranging from 11 to 18 years of age. The mean age was 14.23 years (SD = 2.24); there were 46.8% male and 53.2% female participants.

Results: The ADHD group was found to have more significant behavior regulation problems than the control group, t (1258) = - 15.954, p < .001. The results indicated that females with ADHD were more at risk to have higher scores in the behavioral regulation index (BRI) compared to boys with ADHD, but not for the control group. Children from urban parts have presented higher score on BRI compare to rural parts in both groups (ADHD vs control).

Conclusion: Inhibitory control may be a central problem for children with ADHD. Early understanding of gender differences or the effects of demographic variables in relation to the clinical picture of ADHD is of great importance in terms of early and adequate treatments for ADHD.