Proprioceptive Indicators of Personality and Individual Differences in Behavior in Children With ADHD.

Liudmila Liutsko,Josep Maria Tous Ral,Tania Iglesias ,Аleksander Veraksa

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02325

Abstract

Researchers have suggested that the link between personality traits and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) could be a crucial factor in understanding the disorder’s diatheses. The aim of our study was to contribute to research on personality differences (based on fine motor precision – a novel approach) in children with and without ADHD symptoms. The Children Sustained Attention Task (CSAT) and Proprioceptive Diagnostics of Temperament and Character (DP-TC) were administered to children with an ADHD diagnosis and age-matched controls. Correlational and ANOVA analyses were performed to see the association between the results of both tests and the groups’ performance. Correlational analysis suggests significant relationships between some personality dimensions (DP-TC) and correct detection in a sustained attention task (CSAT). Statistically significant differences were found between the groups on the personality dimensions (DP-TC), with the following characteristics for ADHD children: (a) temperamental tendency to pessimism; (b) high temperamental excitability; (c) high Emotionality, and (d) Behavioral Rigidity (meaning also less adaptation to changes in the environment, in temperament and character). Correct detection in the sustained attention test was significantly correlated with reaction time and the personality variables Style of Attention and Irritability. The results also showed high proprioceptive Emotionality and lack of emotional control in children with ADHD. This is an exploratory study, investigating for the first time the differences in personality (based on fine motor precision) and the relation of personality traits to scores in sustained attention for children with and without ADHD.

Highlights

Persons With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Studies of Personality and Individual DifferencesTheory and research state that both temperament and personality systems can be useful to describe endogenous basic tendencies of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in children (Caspi et al, 2005; De Pauw et al, 2009) and adults (Evans and Rothbart, 2007)
Significant individual differences in behavior were observed between the ADHD children and the control group, based on the Proprioceptive Diagnosis of Temperament and Character (DP-TC)
Two Diagnostics of Temperament and Character (DP-TC) dimensions, Emotionality and Variability in Behavior were non-adaptive, since the performance persisted at the same level in both hands and with a statistically significant difference from the control group

Summary

Introduction

Persons With ADHD: Studies of Personality and Individual DifferencesTheory and research state that both temperament and personality systems can be useful to describe endogenous basic tendencies of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in children (Caspi et al, 2005; De Pauw et al, 2009) and adults (Evans and Rothbart, 2007). Proprioceptive Graphomotor Differences in ADHD of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (Mervielde and De Pauw, 2010). The authors suggested a link between primary symptoms of inattentive, disorganized, and hyperactive/impulsive behaviors and certain aspects of personality and temperament. We found a similar perspective in the study of Martínez et al (2010), which indicated that ADHD is a chronic disorder that begins in childhood and that the symptoms persist throughout life - i.e., considering the personality as relatively stable (without changes in emotional, cognitive, and behavioral patterns throughout life). McKinney et al (2011) pointed out that prior empirical research suggested a complex relationship between ADHD and temperament (Nigg et al, 2004) and the mature personality (Nigg et al, 2002; Martel et al, 2010). McKinney et al (2011) pointed out that prior empirical research suggested a complex relationship between ADHD and temperament (Nigg et al, 2004) and the mature personality (Nigg et al, 2002; Martel et al, 2010). Nigg and Goldsmith (1998) explained that research in the field of temperament and ADHD had proceeded independently from one another, but studies integrating them could shine more light on our understanding of ADHD (Nigg et al, 2004)

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