ADHD symptoms are associated with personality traits in 10-15-year-olds, study finds

A study of children aged 10 to 15 in Serbia found that the severity of ADHD symptoms is associated with personality traits. Specifically, children with higher levels of Aggressiveness, Neuroticism, and Negative Valence tended to have more severe ADHD symptoms, while children with higher levels of Conscientiousness tended to have fewer symptoms. The research was published in the Journal of Individual Differences.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. It typically begins in childhood, though symptoms often continue into adolescence and adulthood.

The exact causes are not fully understood, but research suggests a strong genetic component, with heritability estimates of around 70–80%. Environmental influences, such as prenatal exposure to alcohol, nicotine, or stress, can also increase risk. Early childhood factors like low birth weight or lead exposure may contribute to its development. Without recognition, ADHD can lead to academic underachievement, strained relationships, and emotional difficulties. With support, many individuals learn strategies to manage symptoms effectively.

Study author Tatjana Krstić and her colleagues sought to evaluate the relationships between personality traits and the severity of ADHD symptoms in middle school children. In particular, they wanted to see whether personality traits are linked to specific ADHD symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.

The study included 402 parents of children aged 10 to 15 years, with an average child age of 13. About 51% of the children were boys. Parents ranged in age from 29 to 63, with an average age of 43. Children were recruited from six schools in Serbia located in both urban and rural areas.

Parents rated their children’s ADHD symptom severity and personality traits. For ADHD symptoms, the researchers used the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale – version IV (SNAP-IV), which includes items such as “Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.” To assess personality, they used the parent version of the Big Five Plus Two for children.

The personality assessment measured the five widely studied personality traits—Neuroticism (e.g., “Often has the jitters”), Extraversion (e.g., “Has many friends”), Aggressiveness (e.g., “Often yells at others when provoked”), Conscientiousness (e.g., “Always fulfills his/her obligations”), and Openness (e.g., “Likes new and interesting things”). It also included two additional traits: Positive Valence (e.g., “Has a big influence in a peer group”) and Negative Valence (e.g., “Thinks that he/she is no good”).

The results indicated that children with more severe ADHD symptoms tended to show higher levels of Aggressiveness, Neuroticism, and Negative Valence. They tended to score lower on Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Openness. The severity of ADHD symptoms was not associated with Positive Valence. When the researchers examined the unique contributions of personality traits in predicting ADHD severity, the association with Extraversion was no longer significant.

“Our findings supported the conclusion that personality traits in children are predictors of ADHD symptoms,” the study authors concluded.

The study contributes to the scientific knowledge about the links between personality and ADHD. However, it should be noted that all the data in this study came from parents, leaving room for reporting bias and common method bias to have affected the results.

The paper, “The Relationship Between Personality Traits and ADHD Symptoms in 10- to 15-Year-Old Children: Parent Ratings,” was authored by Tatjana Krstić, Ilija Milovanović, Aleksandra Stojadinović, Vojislava Bugarski Ignjatović, and Željka Nikolašević.