Hyperactive Behaviors from Childhood to Adolescence: Prospective Outcomes in a Sample of Spanish Children

Estrella Romero,Cristina Alonso

doi:10.5539/ijps.v7n3p67

Abstract

The continuity of hyperactivity problems over time has become a major focus of attention for developmental and clinical psychologists. However, research in diverse ethnical and sociocultural contexts is needed so as to identify to what extent the findings are generalizable beyond the settings in which these studies are usually conducted. This work analyzes a) the development of parent-reported hyperactivity from childhood to adolescence in a sample of Spanish children, and b) the implications of hyperactivity in terms of adolescent psychosocial adjustment and personality traits. Longitudinal data collected from a sample of 138 Spanish children over a six-year interval was analyzed. Results show that although hyperactive behaviors tend to decrease as children grow, childhood hyperactive problems are related to relatively high levels of emotional, behavioral and social maladjustment in adolescence; hyperactive behaviors in childhood are also related to high Neuroticism and low Conscientiousness in adolescence. This prospective study confirms, in a Mediterranean European context, the impact of hyperactive behaviors not only for the development of behavioral problems but also for the configuration of personality traits.

Highlights

Hyperactive behavior problems are a major focus of research and intervention for developmental and clinical psychologists
Results show that hyperactive behaviors tend to decrease as children grow, childhood hyperactive problems are related to relatively high levels of emotional, behavioral and social maladjustment in adolescence; hyperactive behaviors in childhood are related to high Neuroticism and low Conscientiousness in adolescence
The results for absolute stability show that hyperactive behaviors tend to decrease in the transition from childhood to adolescence

Summary

Introduction

Hyperactive behavior problems are a major focus of research and intervention for developmental and clinical psychologists. Research suggests hyperactivity problems may have implications for personal and social functioning. It has been found that children with hyperactive behaviors are at a high risk of academic difficulties in childhood and adolescence, as well as antisocial behaviors, and mood/anxiety disorders (e.g., Biederman et al, 2006). In recent years a large number of research programs have focused on hyperactive problems (Evans, Owens, & Bunford, 2014; Sharma & Couture, 2014; Thapar, Cooper, Eyre, & Langley, 2013). More prospective studies are needed to analyze how hyperactive problems develop in the medium and long term, in the course or important developmental transitions, like the transition from childhood to adolescence (see, for example, Sciberras, Roos, & Efron, 2009). Most longitudinal studies have focused on psychopathological outcomes (e.g., Barbaresi et al, 2013), while other variables like personality traits have been scarcely analyzed from a prospective point of view (Nigg et al, 2002)

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