ADHD and Coexisting Conditions
There is overwhelming evidence that children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience more maladjustment than typically developing youth. It seems clear that childhood ADHD and future adjustment problems are closely linked. Indeed, they are so closely linked that problems are created in drawing clear conclusions. Adjustment problems may also be indicative for ADHD symptoms. So the aim of this study was to examine predictive value of psychological adjustment on ADHD and vice versa. The study sample included 405 elementary school pupils ranging in age from 6 to 13 years. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The Child Behaviour Check List / CBCL / 4 – 18 were used to gather information about externalized and internalized psychological problems in children, while symptoms of ADHD were assessed by Test of attention-deficit/hyperactivity. The results showed that children identified with ADHD had a significantly higher risk for psychological difficulties like externalized and internalized behavior problems, compared with children who had not identified ADHD. Furthermore, anxiety, social problems and problems with attention as a specific psychological difficulty represented predictive factors for ADHD. Obtained results indicate reciprocal relationship between ADHD and psychological problems which suggest the need for re-developing theoretical model of development ADHD.