Inhibitory Control and Parasympathetic Activity in Children with Disruptive Behaviours and ADHD Symptoms
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Children with disruptive behaviour (DB) show difficulties in their social, academic and family functioning and high rates of comorbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).This study examined whether children’s parasympathetic nervous system activity, indexed by their respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and their attentional ability, indexed by inhibitory control (IC), were associated with symptoms of ADHD in a population of children with DB. Forty children between the ages of 6 and 12 years (M = 9.39, SD = 1.75) who were referred to a mental health clinic because of challenging behaviour, completed a Stop Signal Task to measure their IC, while their RSA was being monitored. Findings showed modest and insignificant associations between all variables of interest. Given the relatively small sample size, no firm conclusions can be drawn. Future studies should incorporate a larger sample size, use more clearly defined ADHD diagnostic criteria, and account for further comorbid conditions that may present with DBs and ADHD.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Gheorghiu, Dan Lucian
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7133018780