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Personality Mediation of Genetic Effects on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

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Abstract

Personality traits may be viable candidates for mediators of the relationship between genetic risk and ADHD. Participants were 578 children (331 boys; 320 children with ADHD) between the ages of six and 18. Parents and teachers completed a comprehensive, multi-stage diagnostic procedure to assess ADHD and comorbid disorders. Mother completed the California Q-Sort to assess child Big Five personality traits. Children provided buccal samples of DNA which were assayed for selected markers on DRD4, DAT1, and ADRA2A. An additive genetic risk composite was associated with ADHD symptoms and maladaptive personality traits; maladaptive personality traits were associated with ADHD symptoms. Low conscientiousness and high neuroticism partially mediated the relationship between genetic risk and ADHD symptoms. Mediation effects for conscientiousness were specific to inattentive symptoms; effects for neuroticism generalized to all disruptive behaviors. High neuroticism and low conscientiousness may be useful as early markers for children at risk for ADHD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive; 2005 Geology & Psychology Building, New Orleans, LA, 70148, USA

    Michelle M. Martel

  2. Psychology Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Molly Nikolas

  3. Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Katherine Jernigan & Karen Friderici

  4. Psychiatry Department, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA

    Joel T. Nigg

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  1. Michelle M. Martel
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  2. Molly Nikolas
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  3. Katherine Jernigan
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  4. Karen Friderici
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  5. Joel T. Nigg
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Correspondence to Michelle M. Martel.

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This research was supported by NIH National Institute of Mental Health Grant R01-MH63146, MH59105, and MH70542 to Karen Friderici and Joel Nigg. We are indebted to the families and staff who made this study possible.

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Martel, M.M., Nikolas, M., Jernigan, K. et al. Personality Mediation of Genetic Effects on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Abnorm Child Psychol 38, 633–643 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-010-9392-3

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