The Moderating Effects of Anxiety on the Relationship Between Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are two of the most prevalent childhood disorders, and the co-occurrence of these disorders is associated with an exacerbation of certain behavioral difficulties such as opposition, defiance, and anger when compared to the independent presentation of either disorder. Several researchers have demonstrated that anxiety may buffer against oppositional behavior by inhibiting responses that may lead to aversive consequences. Thus, the current study sought to examine the potentially suppressing role of anxiety when symptoms of ADHD and ODD are both present. A hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to determine the extent to which anxiety moderates moderated the relationship between symptoms of ADHD and ODD in a sample of 1409 clinic-referred children. It was hypothesized that increased levels of anxiety would attenuate the relationship between the two disorders and would be associated with decreased levels of ODD. No significant findings were revealed during the regression, indicating that anxiety did not have an effect on the relationship between ADHD and symptoms of ODD in this model.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Aikins, Jamarri Raimon

• child
• adolescent
• ADHD
• anxiety
• ODD

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Identifier

etd-07102015-160750
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/1113

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.lsu.edu:gradschool_dissertations-2112