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01-03-2013 | Original Contribution

Association of ADHD symptoms and social competence with cognitive status in preschoolers

Authors: Rosa Ramos, Carmen Freire, Jordi Julvez, Mariana F. Fernández, Raquel García-Esteban, Maties Torrent, Jordi Sunyer, Nicolás Olea

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 3/2013

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the association of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and social competence outcomes with cognitive status in preschool children. The study population was drawn from three birth cohorts belonging to the Spanish INMA (Infancia y Medio Ambiente) project: Menorca (n = 289), Ribera d’Ebre (n = 60), and Granada (n = 108). Children were assessed at the age of 4 years for cognitive functions (McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities, MSCA) by psychologists and for inattention and hyperactivity symptoms (ADHD Criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, ADHD-DSM-IV) and social competence (California Preschool Social Competence Scale) by their teachers. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine potential associations between behavioral outcomes (ADHD symptoms and social competence) and MSCA cognitive outcomes, adjusting for confounders. The presence of general ADHD symptoms (inattention, hyperactivity, or both) and poorer social competence both showed negative associations with cognitive outcomes. When we compared children according to ADHD subtypes, those with inattention symptoms alone and those with both inattention and hyperactivity symptoms showed significantly lower cognitive function scores in comparison to children with no ADHD symptoms. Behavioral dysfunctions in preschoolers may be associated with impairment of cognitive functions.

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Title: Association of ADHD symptoms and social competence with cognitive status in preschoolers
Authors: Rosa Ramos
Carmen Freire
Jordi Julvez
Mariana F. Fernández
Raquel García-Esteban
Maties Torrent
Jordi Sunyer
Nicolás Olea
Publication date: 01-03-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-012-0334-1

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Association of ADHD symptoms and social competence with cognitive status in preschoolers

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