Honors Theses

Advisor

Dr. Jackson A. Goodnight

Department

Psychology

Publication Date

4-22-2026

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

Previous research has suggested a link between ADHD and experiencing negative outcomes in adolescence. These include mental health issues, substance use problems, and especially social dysfunction. Additionally, prior research has discovered high comorbidity rates of certain behavioral disorders, like Conduct Disorder (CD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), with ADHD. Furthermore, other research has focused on the transactional influences between ADHD and parenting. Existing research has been limited by conduct problems being a possible confounding variable and the lack of longitudinal studies. The current study attempts to combat these limitations by separating conduct problems from ADHD symptoms and using a longitudinal design to look at the influence of ADHD and parenting on negative outcomes in adolescence. Data for this study are taken from the Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youths (CNLSY), which follows the children of the mothers from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 (NLSY79). Data from three different age ranges were assessed: average measures of conduct problems (CP) and hyperactivity and inattention problems (ADHP) were taken into account from ages 4 to 9, parenting practices were considered from ages 10 to 13, and negative behavioral and mental health outcomes were evaluated from ages 14 to 17. The findings of this study could help improve our understanding of the impact of ADHD and parenting on negative outcomes in adolescence. If results suggest that skilled and responsive parenting can help reduce negative outcomes associated with ADHD over time, these findings could inform future efforts to mitigate the impact of ADHD on negative mental and behavioral health outcomes in adolescence.

Permission Statement

This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.

Keywords

Undergraduate research


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