Understanding the Relations Among Gender, Disinhibition, and Disruptive Behavior in Adolescents

Authors

Cynthia M. Hartung, Oklahoma State University - Main CampusFollow
Richard Milich, University of KentuckyFollow
Donald R. Lynam, University of Kentucky
Catherine A. Martin, University of KentuckyFollow

Abstract

This study examined whether disinhibition shows similar relations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) symptomatology among male and female adolescents. The mixed-incentive or punishment condition of Newman's go/no-go task was administered to 172 adolescents. As expected, ADHD symptoms in boys and girls were predictive of disinhibition (i.e., commission errors) in the mixed-incentive but not punishment condition. Also consistent with expectations, CD symptoms in boys were predictive of disinhibition in the mixed-incentive but not punishment condition. In contrast, CD symptoms in girls were not predictive of disinhibition in either condition. These findings are discussed in terms of implications for understanding sex differences in the etiology of ADHD and CD.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2002

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1037/0021-843X.111.4.659

Repository Citation

Hartung, Cynthia M.; Milich, Richard; Lynam, Donald R.; and Martin, Catherine A., "Understanding the Relations Among Gender, Disinhibition, and Disruptive Behavior in Adolescents" (2002). Psychology Faculty Publications. 77.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/psychology_facpub/77