Hyperactive Girls and Boys: Stimulant Drug Effects on Mother–Child Interactions

Two doses of Ritalin (0.15 mg/kg and 0.35 mg/kg BID) were evaluated for their differential effects on the mother-child interactions of hyperactive girls and boys. The effects of Ritalin on these interactions were similar for both sexes. During task performance, the children increased their duration of compliance to the tasks. Mothers responded with decreased commands and control over compliance, while increasing their level of more general, non-directive interactions and passive observation of their children. The findings are consistent with previous studies of stimulant drug effects on the social interactions of hyperactive children.     

Child and Family Factors Influencing the Clinical Referral of Children with Hyperactivity: A Research Note

This study examined child and Family factors associated with the clinical referral of pervasively hyperactive children. Fourteen children with pervasive hyperactive behaviour problems referred to a London child guidance service were compared with 13 nonreferred pervasively hyperactive children resident in the same geographic area. Child behaviour, parenting, and Family life factors were examined as determinants of referral. Preliminary results suggest that both child and parenting factors play an important role in determining whether a child with hyperactivity will be referred for child guidance. The best predictors of clinical referral were a parent's ability to cope with child behaviour, child emotional disturbance, School relationship problems, and parental disciplinary indulgence. Implications of referral bias for research and service planning are discussed.     

A Twin Study of Hyperactivity—II. The Aetiological Role of Genes, Family Relationships and Perinatal Adversity

In a large representative sample of 13-year-old twins, monozygotic pairs were more alike than same-sex dizygotic pairs on objective measures of attentiveness and on parent and teacher ratings of hyperactivity. Comparison of recognized and unrecognized monozygotic pairs indicated that parents and teachers rated twins more similarly when the twins were perceived as "identical" rather than "non-identical". After allowing for this stereotyping, genetic effects accounted for approximately half of the explainable variance of hyperactivity and inattentiveness. Data from mixed-sex pairs did not support a 2-threshold genetic explanation for the male excess of hyperactivity. The link between adverse family factors and hyperactivity was weak. Perinatal adversity was not related to later hyperactivity.