Emotional reactivity in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective: This study examined Barkley’s (1997b) theory regarding the emotional regulation of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Method: Mothers of children with and without ADHD between the ages of 6 and 15 were asked to rate their child’s emotional response on each of three measures. Results: Children with ADHD were rated as significantly more emotionally reactive to both immediate and future events than were children without ADHD. Differences at both the immediate and future time periods were stronger in response to negative as opposed to positive emotional events. In response to the consequences of their behavior, however, children with ADHD were rated as less emotionally reactive than children without ADHD. Discussion: Conclusions are made in reference to Barkley’s theory and implications are explored.