How does adult temperament relate to ADHD symptom domains?
Testing the dual-pathway model
Publication date
2025
Document type
Meeting Abstract
Organisational unit
Conference
10th World Congress on ADHD ; Prague, Czech Republic ; May 8–11, 2025
Publisher
ADHD Congress
Book title
10th World Congress on ADHD, 8 – 11 May 2025, Prague, Czech Republic : abstract texts of accepted poster and oral presentation abstracts
Peer-reviewed
✅
Part of the university bibliography
✅
Language
English
Abstract
Object:
Temperament provides a valuable framework for understanding ADHD across the lifespan, as extreme temperamental traits are considered etiological risk factors. The Dual-Pathway Model links elevated reactive traits - Negative Affect (NA) and Surgency (SUR) - to the hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptom domain, and a low regulatory trait - Effortful Control (EC) - to inattention. A compensatory extension considers a moderating effect of EC.
Method:
158 adults (79 ADHD patients, 79 controls) completed the Adult Temperament Questionnaire. Differences in temperament were examined. A binary logistic regression was performed to test the hypothesized direction of effects. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted for self-rated symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention. It was hypothesized that EC would moderate reactive traits (SUR/NA) and influence both ADHD symptom domains.
Discussion:
The ADHD group had higher NA and lower EC scores. No group difference was found for SUR. EC was a protective factor, while the effects of NA and SUR were not significant, with the model correctly classifying 88% of cases. EC was an important predictor for both symptom domains, while only SUR contributed to the explanation of variance in hyperactivity/impulsivity. Contrary to expectations, no moderating effect of EC was found.
Conclusion:
Our findings complement research from childhood and adolescence and advance our understanding of ADHD trajectories into adulthood. By integrating temperament into diagnostic and treatment frameworks, clinicians could better address the emotional and regulatory challenges faced by ADHD patients. This highlights the value of temperament-based approaches for refining diagnosis and developing targeted interventions.
Temperament provides a valuable framework for understanding ADHD across the lifespan, as extreme temperamental traits are considered etiological risk factors. The Dual-Pathway Model links elevated reactive traits - Negative Affect (NA) and Surgency (SUR) - to the hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptom domain, and a low regulatory trait - Effortful Control (EC) - to inattention. A compensatory extension considers a moderating effect of EC.
Method:
158 adults (79 ADHD patients, 79 controls) completed the Adult Temperament Questionnaire. Differences in temperament were examined. A binary logistic regression was performed to test the hypothesized direction of effects. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted for self-rated symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention. It was hypothesized that EC would moderate reactive traits (SUR/NA) and influence both ADHD symptom domains.
Discussion:
The ADHD group had higher NA and lower EC scores. No group difference was found for SUR. EC was a protective factor, while the effects of NA and SUR were not significant, with the model correctly classifying 88% of cases. EC was an important predictor for both symptom domains, while only SUR contributed to the explanation of variance in hyperactivity/impulsivity. Contrary to expectations, no moderating effect of EC was found.
Conclusion:
Our findings complement research from childhood and adolescence and advance our understanding of ADHD trajectories into adulthood. By integrating temperament into diagnostic and treatment frameworks, clinicians could better address the emotional and regulatory challenges faced by ADHD patients. This highlights the value of temperament-based approaches for refining diagnosis and developing targeted interventions.
Version
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