Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This study evaluated whether a history of pregnancy, delivery, and infancy complications (PDICs) predicts the presence or type of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. Children with a history of PDICs are thought to be at risk because of the potential damage caused by these complications during critical periods of fetal neurological development. Existing research also suggests that PDICs potentially affects the child's ability to maintain attention and behavior. This study examined archival data from children ( N = 588) between the ages of 5 and 12 seen for evaluation at a university-based ADHD Clinic. Multiple instruments were used to determine the participants' diagnoses. A predictive discriminant function indicated that children with a history of PDICs were no more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Delivery complications were inversely related to an ADHD diagnosis. However, parent report of a history of pregnancy complications was significantly related with parent ratings of child hyperactivity, inattention, aggression, and oppositional behavior. Likewise, parent report of maternal smoking during pregnancy was significantly associated with higher parent ratings of aggression, hyperactivity, and oppositional behavior. No significant associations were found between children's behavior and low birth weight or delivery complications. Additionally, teacher ratings of child behavior were not significantly associated with any PDICs. Results of this study suggest that while a history of PDICs may not directly affect ADHD diagnosis, a history of PDICs is associated with child behavior. Additionally, these results suggest the difference in parent and teachers reports of child behavior may be a result of a difference in teacher and parent perception or expectations.

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