Comparing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Singly and Together in Terms of Behavioral Problems, Family Conflict, and Cognitive Functions

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to profile three groups of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and both ADHD and ODD, through analyzing their cognitive abilities, personality traits, and family characteristics. METHODS: The study included 60 patients, with 20 patients in each group. Patients were selected according to the DSM IV criteria. They completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised (WISC-R) and the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test, and their mothers filled out the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Marital Conflict Questionnaire. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in picture completion, block design, and coding, which are the WISC-R subtests, between the three groups. In addition, there was no significant difference in verbal, performance, and WISC-R scores. Finally, there was no significant difference when the subdivisions of the CBCL externalizing and internalizing behaviors were analyzed individually. The Frequency of Marital Conflict Score and Conflict Expansion Score were analyzed, and there were no significant differences found between the three groups. The highest average of the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test was in the ODD group, whereas the lowest average was in the ADHD group. CONCLUSION: When comparing ADHD and ODD in terms of cognitive abilities, the observed differences may be because ODD has no genetic or organic component, and ADHD has an organic basis. In ODD, cognitive abilities are intact, which should underline the environmental and family factors.