Michael L. Vitulano

Evaluation of underlying mechanisms in the link between childhood ADHD symptoms and risk for early initiation of substance use.

Although there has been support for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a risk for early substance use, this link is not fully established or understood. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms explaining these associations are unclear. The current study examined peer rejection, school bonding, and internalizing problems as potential mediators of the association between childhood ADHD symptoms and risk for early initiation of substance use. The sample included a control group of 126 students with problematic aggression (79% African American, 66% male) from an intervention study following children from fourth to ninth grade. Results suggested that ADHD symptoms follow a path to early initiation of tobacco use through the combined effects of peer rejection and internalizing problems as well as through internalizing problems alone. ADHD symptoms were also associated with the cubic slope of marijuana use initiation, such that increased ADHD symptoms were associated with a strong cubic trend (e.g., a more rapid acceleration of risk for initiation). ADHD symptoms were not associated with risk for early initiation of alcohol use. Identification of important vulnerability factors in children with ADHD symptoms highlight the need for primary prevention and psychological interventions that target these factors and decrease the likelihood of early tobacco and marijuana use initiation.

Gender Differences in Consequences of ADHD Symptoms in a Community-Based Organization for Youth.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been linked to disruptive behavior and disciplinary consequences; however, the variables involved in this process are largely unknown. The current study examined rule-breaking behavior as a mediator of the relation between ADHD symptoms and disciplinary actions 1 year later during after-school care at a community-based organization in a sample of 147 school-age children (M = 8.22 years; 54.4% male). Additionally, gender was examined as a moderator of these relations. Total ADHD symptoms positively predicted rule-breaking behavior at 1-year follow-up, which in turn was positively associated with disciplinary actions also at 1-year follow-up. Gender moderated these relations, such that the mediated effect of rule-breaking behavior on the association between total ADHD symptoms and disciplinary actions was significant for boys but not for girls. Further, when ADHD symptom dimensions were simultaneously included in the model, only hyperactive/impulsive symptoms were a positive predictor of rule-breaking behavior, and rule-breaking behavior mediated this link between hyperactive/impulsive symptoms and disciplinary actions. However, when examining ADHD symptom dimensions, no gender differences emerged. Implications for findings and future directions are discussed.

The influence of neighborhood safety on the relation between caregiver alcohol use and child symptoms of depression

Objective: To examine the potential moderating effect of neighborhood safety on the caregiver alcohol use and child depression relation. Background: Parental alcohol use is a risk factor for child adjustment outcomes, including depression. However, more research is needed in this area as many children of problem drinkers grow up healthy and well adjusted. Methods: This study examined the potential moderating effect of perceptions of neighborhood safety on the association between caregiver alcohol use and child symptoms of depression in a community sample of 89 children ranging from 9 to 12 years of age (mean = 10.4, SD = 1.1). Results: Findings suggest that for those who viewed their neighborhoods as less safe, caregiver alcohol use was positively related to child depression; however, for those who viewed their neighborhoods as more safe, caregiver alcohol use and child depression were not related. Conclusions: Intervention strategies should target children who reside in unsafe neighborhoods, particularly those exposed to caregiver substance use, as they may be more likely to experience depressive symptoms.