Hyperactivity precedes conduct problems in preschool children: a longitudinal study

Berit M Gustafsson; Henrik Danielsson; Mats Granlund; Per A Gustafsson; Marie Proczkowska

doi:10.1192/bjo.2018.20

Hyperactivity precedes conduct problems in preschool children: a longitudinal study

BJPsych Open. 2018 Jun 22;4(4):186-191. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2018.20. eCollection 2018 Jul.

Authors

Berit M Gustafsson¹, Henrik Danielsson², Mats Granlund³, Per A Gustafsson⁴, Marie Proczkowska⁵

Affiliations

¹ Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden, Psychiatric Clinic, Högland Hospital, Division of Psychiatrics and Rehabilitation/Region Jönköping, Sweden, and CHILD research environment, SIDR, Jönköping University, Sweden.
² Swedish Institute for Disability Research and Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Sweden.
³ CHILD research environment, SIDR, Jönköping University, Sweden and Department of Special Education, Oslo University, Norway.
⁴ Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden; and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Linköping University, Sweden.
⁵ Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden, and Psychiatric Clinic, Hospital of Jönköping, Division of Psychiatrics and Rehabilitation/Jönköping County, Sweden.

Abstract

Background: Externalising problems are among the most common symptoms of mental health problems in preschool children.

Aims: To investigate the development of externalising problems in preschool children over time, and the way in which conduct problems are linked to hyperactivity problems.

Method: In this longitudinal study, 195 preschool children were included. Latent growth modelling of conduct problems was carried out, with gender and hyperactivity at year 1 as time-invariant predictors.

Results: Hyperactivity was a significant predictor for the intercept and slope of conduct problems. Children with more hyperactivity at year 1 had more conduct problems and a slower reduction in conduct problems. Gender was a significant predictor for the slope of conduct problems.

Conclusions: Children with more initial hyperactivity have less of a reduction in conduct problems over time. It is important to consider the role of hyperactivity in studies of the development of conduct problems.

Declaration of interest: None.