Abstract
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is frequently linked with antisocial behaviour, yet less is known about its relationship with sociomoral reasoning, and the possible mediating effect of intelligence. A pilot study was designed to investigate the relationship between antisocial personality traits, intelligence and sociomoral reasoning in adults with ADHD. Twenty two adults with ADHD and 21 healthy controls, matched for age, gender and IQ completed a battery of measures including the National Adult Reading Test, Gough Socialisation Scale and Sociomoral Reflection Measure-Short Form. There was no difference between the groups and levels of sociomoral reasoning, despite the ADHD group reporting greater antisocial personality traits. Sociomoral reasoning was positively correlated with intelligence. Results from a hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that both antisocial traits and IQ were significant predictors of sociomoral reasoning, with IQ proving the most powerful predictor. Whilst antisocial personality traits may explain some of the variance in levels of sociomoral reasoning, a diagnosis of ADHD does not appear to hinder the development of mature moral reasoning. Intellectual functioning appears to facilitate the development of sociomoral reasoning. A further analysis showed that both ADHD and low sociomoral reasoning were significant predictors of antisocial traits. The current findings have important treatment implications.
Highlights
Adding NART estimated FSIQ in Model 3 did not improve the amount of predictive variance in antisocial behaviour already explained by age, group and sociomoral reasoning. This pilot study investigated the relationship between antisocial personality traits, intelligence and sociomoral reasoning in adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A significant negative correlation between sociomoral reasoning and antisocial personality traits was found for the group as a whole and the ADHD group, supporting (H1)
Results from the first hierarchical multiple regression indicated that when controlling for age, gender and diagnostic classification, both antisocial traits and IQ were significant predictors of sociomoral reasoning, with IQ proving the most powerful predictor
Summary
Like Piaget, Kohlberg [1,3] used interview data to develop a six stage theory of moral development. The Kohlbergian moral development theory was later criticised and revised into a sociomoral stage theory by Gibbs, who removed the post-conventional stage, arguing that this level was ―existential‖ and not consistent across cultures [4]. The sociomoral stage theory is divided into two levels: immature and mature [5]. Stage 2 is the development of a superficial understanding of moral justifications arising from social interactions, for example, deciding to help others because that person may help you in the future. At the highest level of moral reasoning, Stage 4, an understanding of the complex social structures in which we live are apparent. Justifications may be based upon constructs such as rights, values and character within society
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