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Taxonomic Examination of ADHD and Conduct Problem Comorbidity in Elementary School Children Using Cluster Analyses

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Abstract

Cluster analysis was used to investigate the classification of comorbid Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) +Conduct Problems (CP). Teachers rated 1394 elementary school children on symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, opposition, and conduct problems using the ADS-IV behavior-rating scale. Results suggested that a seven-cluster solution, including two distinct comorbid clusters, was the most appropriate method of classifying children according to behavioral symptoms. A one-way MANOVA showed that overall cluster profiles differed significantly from each other, whereas one-way ANOVAs indicated that clusters differed on age and symptom scores. Chi-square analyses indicated that clusters differed on gender. Post hoc analyses and effect sizes calculations revealed that the comorbid clusters differed from each other and from their single-disorder counterparts on some variables, but not on all. These results provide support for an additive conceptualisation of ADHD +CP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Sara King, Daniel A. Waschbusch, Bradley W. Frankland & Brendan F. Andrade

  2. Cumberland Mental Health Services, Cumberland, Maryland

    Catherine M. Thurston

  3. Chignecto—Central Regional School Board, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Lisa McNutt & Branka Terrio

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  1. Sara King
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  2. Daniel A. Waschbusch
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  3. Bradley W. Frankland
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  5. Catherine M. Thurston
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Northern Partners in Action for Child and Youth Services

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Correspondence to Daniel A. Waschbusch.

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King, S., Waschbusch, D.A., Frankland, B.W. et al. Taxonomic Examination of ADHD and Conduct Problem Comorbidity in Elementary School Children Using Cluster Analyses. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 27, 77–88 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-005-5382-0

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