ADHD Symptomatology, Executive Function and Cognitive Performance Differences between Family Foster Care and Control Group in ADHD-Diagnosed Children

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15720134
AutoresMaría Peñarrubia (0000-0001-5560-7342, Universidad Loyola Andalucía), Ignasi Navarro Soria (0000-0001-5966-9604, University of Alicante, autor correspondente), Jesús Palacios (0000-0002-2103-5507, Universidad de Sevilla), Javier Fenollar-Cortés (0000-0001-6154-8836, Universidad Loyola Andalucía)
Ano2021
Volume8
Fascículo5
Páginas405-405
Data de publicação2021-05-17
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoChildren (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children8050405
PMID34067856
OpenAlexW3161231413
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas54

Children in foster care have a high prevalence of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, together with other difficulties in inattentive/hyperactive behaviors, executive and cognitive processes. Early exposure to adversity is a risk factor for developing ADHD via neurodevelopmental pathways. The goal of this research is (a) to study the cognitive and executive performance and inattentive/hyperactive behavior of ADHD-diagnosed children living in foster families in Spain, and (b) to analyze the role of placement variables in their performance. The sample was composed of 102 ADHD-diagnosed children aged 6- to 12-years-old, divided into two groups: 59 children living with non-relative foster families and 43 children not involved with protection services. Children's executive function-inhibition, working memory, flexibility, attention, intellectual capacity, verbal comprehension, perceptive reasoning, working memory and processing speed were assessed using objective testing measures. At the same time, parents and teachers reported on children's inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. Children in foster care obtained lower scores in the general ability index than the control group after controlling the age at assessment. However, no differences were found in executive processes. Regarding placement factors, children with shorter exposure to adversities in their birth families and more time in foster care showed better executive performance. Professionals should consider the placement history of children in foster care and its influence on their symptomatology and cognitive capacities

Cognition · Cognitive flexibility · Developmental psychology · Executive functions · Foster care · Psychiatry · Working memory · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Child Welfare and Adoption · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Psychology