JDJCSET | Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Examining the Relationship between Inattention, Impulsivity, and Externalizing Behaviors in Children: Does Intelligence Play a Role?
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
Clinical Psychology
Minor
none
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Michael Bordieri
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Abstract
There is a well-established link between Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorders (CD). Individuals that tend to be more inattentive and impulsive may begin to act out as they age, thus exhibiting more problematic externalizing behaviors. Intelligence may also be a factor in this relationship between inattentive and externalizing behaviors. While there has been research highlighting the role of IQ in the relationship between externalizing and inattentive behaviors in individuals with intellectual disabilities, the literature on the role of average intelligence in this relationship is lacking. This study gathered data using archival clinical files from the Murray State University Psychological Center, which provides counseling services to MSU students, faculty, staff, and community members. The participants for the sample consisted of mostly Caucasian (93%) males (60%) in the 4th grade (M= 4.03, SD= 2.40) seeking an assessment (N = 76). Measures of externalizing behaviors and attentional problems were gathered from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and a measure of general cognitive ability (GAI) was gathered from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). A moderation analysis explored how the strength of the relationship between inattentive, impulsive, and externalizing behaviors changed as intelligence varies. It was hypothesized that the relationship between impulsivity and externalizing behaviors would be more pronounced when intelligence is lower. Results and implications for clinical practice will be discussed.
Keywords: Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder (CD), Externalizing behaviors, Inattentive, Impulsive, Intelligence, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fourth Edition (WISC-IV)
Affiliations
Sigma Xi Poster Competition--ONLY
Examining the Relationship between Inattention, Impulsivity, and Externalizing Behaviors in Children: Does Intelligence Play a Role?
Abstract
There is a well-established link between Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorders (CD). Individuals that tend to be more inattentive and impulsive may begin to act out as they age, thus exhibiting more problematic externalizing behaviors. Intelligence may also be a factor in this relationship between inattentive and externalizing behaviors. While there has been research highlighting the role of IQ in the relationship between externalizing and inattentive behaviors in individuals with intellectual disabilities, the literature on the role of average intelligence in this relationship is lacking. This study gathered data using archival clinical files from the Murray State University Psychological Center, which provides counseling services to MSU students, faculty, staff, and community members. The participants for the sample consisted of mostly Caucasian (93%) males (60%) in the 4th grade (M= 4.03, SD= 2.40) seeking an assessment (N = 76). Measures of externalizing behaviors and attentional problems were gathered from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and a measure of general cognitive ability (GAI) was gathered from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). A moderation analysis explored how the strength of the relationship between inattentive, impulsive, and externalizing behaviors changed as intelligence varies. It was hypothesized that the relationship between impulsivity and externalizing behaviors would be more pronounced when intelligence is lower. Results and implications for clinical practice will be discussed.
Keywords: Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder (CD), Externalizing behaviors, Inattentive, Impulsive, Intelligence, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fourth Edition (WISC-IV)