Aging and Pubertal Development Differentially Predict Symptoms of ADHD, Depression, and Impairment in Children and Adolescents: An Eight-Year Longitudinal Study

Ashley G. Eng, Jenny M. Phan, Elizabeth A. Shirtcliff, Tory A. Eisenlohr-Moul, Patrick K. Goh, Michelle M. Martel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Activational effects of the reproductive neuroendocrine system may explain why some youths with ADHD are at greater risk for exacerbated ADHD symptoms (hyperactivity, inattention, impulsivity) during adolescence. For youths diagnosed with ADHD, first signs of ADHD symptoms become noticeable by multiple reporters (e.g., teachers, parents) when children enter schools, typically around kindergarten. The current study examined possible sex differences in ADHD, impairment, and comorbidity due to pubertal effects, as the role of pubertal development in ADHD is understudied. ADHD symptoms, depressive symptoms, impairment, and pubertal stage were assessed annually by multiple reporters in a well-characterized community sample of 849 children over-recruited for ADHD over eight years. Ages ranged from 7 to 13 years (38.16% female) at wave 1. Multilevel models indicated that males had higher levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention than females, but that females had higher levels of impairment than males. Inattention symptoms did not show marked maturation changes. Hyperactivity and impulsivity declined as youth aged and impairment increased as youth aged. Lastly, depressive symptoms largely increased as youth aged and were higher amongst youth at later pubertal stages. Put together, aging and pubertal development are associated with improved ADHD symptoms but not for youth with high impairment. Findings from this study contributes to understanding the role that aging, pubertal status, and pubertal development plays in ADHD, impairment, and comorbidity in children and adolescents.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)819-832
Number of pages14
JournalResearch on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
Volume51
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Keywords

  • ADHD
  • Aging
  • Depression
  • Impairment
  • Puberty

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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