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Self-regulation of affect in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and non-ADHD boys: Differences in empathic responding

Authors:
  • Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School

Abstract

This study examined differences in empathy and other emotions between boys with and without attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Empathy was measured by an empathy response task (ERT) and through self- and parent reports of emotion. On the ERT, children responded verbally to 8 fictitious stories. Results from the ERT revealed that boys with ADHD were less empathic than boys without ADHD. Boys with ADHD less frequently matched the emotion they identified in the character with the one identified in themselves and gave fewer character-centered interpretations in their descriptions of the character's emotion. Parent-report data revealed that boys with ADHD exhibited more behavioral manifestations of sadness, anger, and guilt than did boys without ADHD. No differences were found, however, on measures of emotional intensity or emotional reactions to external contingencies. The results are discussed with respect to current theories of ADHD.
Journal
of
Consulting
and
Clinical
Psychology
2000,
Vol.
68. No. 2.
313-321
Copyright
2000
by
the
American Psychological Association,
Inc.
0022-006X/00/S5.00
Dot
lO.lf
>I:
10.1037ff0022-006X.68.2.3l3
Self-Regulation
of
Affect
in
Attention
Deficit-Hyperactivity
Disorder
(ADHD)
and
Non-ADHD Boys:
Differences
in
Empathic Responding
Ellen
B.
Braaten
Massachusetts
General Hospital
and
Harvard Medical School
Lee A.
Rosen
Colorado State
University
This
study examined differences
in
empathy
arid
other
emotions
between boys with
and
without attention
deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Empathy
was
measured
by an
empathy response task (ERT)
and
through self-
and
parent
reports
of
emotion.
On the
ERT,
children responded verbally
to 8 fictitious
stories. Results
from
the ERT
revealed
that boys with ADHD were
less
empathic
than boys without
ADHD.
Boys
with
ADHD
Iqss
frequently
matched
the
emotion
they
identified
in the
character
with
the
one
identifie